In Daddyland

Happy Sunday everyone, hope your Fathers Day is full of love and laughter... and good eats (we all know that's what matters to 'em)!

I posted a great recipe for Challah French Toast on the FreidaFroo Facebook Page. (If you're a reader and not yet a fan, just letting you in - I often post things (links, videos, snippets etc.)  there that I don't post here on the blog... so join the party and "like" it!) If you're skipping the late brunch and you're more of a dinner family, check out some of the other wonderful recipes on the Epicurious Fathers Day Menu.

On a side note, the kiddos are bound to be super stoked for Toy Story 3 this weekend... The reviews were fabulous, check them here. I'll tell you this; if Freida was of age we'd be joining the throngs at the movies today, kudos to Pixar (and Disney, I suppose). Maybe my man and I will see it on date-night - I won't deny we're kid-movie-lovers! : )

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_FfHA5whXc]

Glass (baby) Bottles

I meant to post about these a little while back... after Freida's self-weaning episode. When the reality of an end to the breast-feeding days hit me, I realized I had to transition my little suckler onto bottles (after seeing that going straight to a sippy cup of milk didn't have the same relaxing effect I still felt she needed). Remembering my baby gear "essentials" shopping list, I opened up my storage boxes labeled "newborn", and happily rummaged through things a bit until I pulled out my Weego glass baby bottles. I was so glad to finally put them to use!

These bottles seriously kick! The borosilicate glass (aside from being much more sanitary than plastic) is completely shock proof, enabling it to go from freezing (food/breast milk storage) to boiling (sanitizing). The silicone sleeve makes it easy to grip, hard to break (never mind super good looking)! You can buy airtight plugs (for freezer storage), and solid baby bottle caps - turning your baby bottle into a chic little beverage bottle (perfect sized for my purse)!

Weego Glass Baby Bottles, by Lifefactory   from $12.49

Idiot-proof Pancakes

Came across this frying pan while browsing for some Fathers Day gifts... I think this pan should be called man-proof. Perfect pancakes every time - great for our mornings off (what? Your husband never offers to wake up with the kids and bring you pancakes in bed??) - or an easy morning on. Plus, this would definitely be payback for all the gifts they give us that are really for them (just think back...) : )

Alright, fine; not the greatest way to gift them on their day of honor, but an awesome gadget to have on hand for cooking with (older) kids in the kitchen.

Silver Dollar Pancake Pan, Crate & Barrel $29.95

Cookies 'n Cream

I made these yummy little freezer treats the day before Shavuos. I agreed to have an extra 3 last-minute guests, and I know 3 people shouldn't make that big of a party difference, but when you're planning on using an 8 seater round table and counting on a cheesecake for 8, I needed a table intervention and another dessert - stat.

I had baked some Neiman Marcus cookies the night before, and had a gallon of vanilla fudge ice cream in the freezer. I tried making ice cream sandwiches with these cookies many times before but they always came out so darn messy looking! With a last minute light bulb idea, and a little help from a cookie cutter; I landed myself a fine lookin' munchie.

Choose a round cookie cutter that's about the same size as the cookies, take the ice cream out to soften a bit, lay some wax paper on a cookie sheet, and spoon the ice cream into the cookie cutter smoothing out the tops. Gently remove the cutter after smoothing each one, and remember to work quickly so the ice cream circles don't melt. Pop the cookie sheet in the freezer overnight to re-freeze the circles. Place the ice cream rounds in between two cookies, and roll in sprinkles (or some ice cream topping novelties: toasted coconut, candied pecans, crushed peppermint etc). Wrap each sandwich in a strip of wax paper to prevent sticking, and tie with a bit of twine to keep the wax strip in place (and to add a touch of whimsy).

I wish I would've thought to take pictures of the steps to share with ya'll - but honestly, I didn't believe they'd come out neat. I know it sounds like a patchke but it's really only two steps - and the visual effect is totally worth the effort. (Next time I make them I'll shoot-as-I-go, and post the tutorial steps with photos.)

At least I grabbed a photo of the finished product leftovers...

Cups of Letters

How adorable are these cups?? I mean, common, they are paper cups - they must be pretty great if they can bring me to call them adorable! I think this is a fabulous idea for kids birthday parties, message-centerpieces, a great activity for new readers (brings cup-stacking to a whole new level!), planters forming a phrase on a buffet table, even as place-cards with each guests initial etc. The decor ideas are endless!

They are made in Korea (= almost impossible to get your hands on),  apparently sold through I am design, but you're better off waiting - they are super popular and I have no doubt someone will be doing a US import very soon. Stay tuned.