Summer fun list 2010

It's that time of year again. Our thoughts have turned to summer vacation and all the things we're dreaming of doing...

Our list is on that sidebar over there on the right...Take a moment a check it out. I'll be adding and taking away from it as the summer progresses. What else can you think of that our family might love to do? What is your family doing this summer? Feel free to post your own summer fun list using the header I created. And if you do...won't you please link back here and leave me a comment as well so I can peruse your list too!

Karate Camp: June 2009

At the martial arts school where I work part-time, we host a "Karate Camp" during the summer. It's full of classes to improve the students' skills, lots of games to help burn off some of that excess summer energy, and occasionally, when a certain karate husband/daddy comes to hang out, it includes this:

Needless to say, we'll be inviting Ron back for the July camp as well.

Funnel Cakes!

I'm wanting to do some fun stuff in the kitchen this summer and funnel cakes was on the top of my "want list." I love getting a good crispy, chewy funnel cake at the Stock Show every year but don't like the price they charge for them. I knew making them at home would be easy, if messy. The recipe I used is very simple.

The ingredients are all pantry staples. Don't forget the funnel (not pictured, drat the luck)! Flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, egg, milk, and oil for frying. And yes, that is a blue egg. Isn't it darling?

After you mix the batter, add more milk if necessary to get the right consistency.

I'm about to die of funnel cake lust right about now. It smelled so good!

Don't forget to have a few kids around to ask, "Why are you doing that?" and "When can I do one?". The experience won't be the same without it.

Top them with cinnamon sugar, honey, maple syrup, chocolate syrup....our favorite is powdered sugar. I'm salivating, sorry.

They're a hit with Maddy!

Tristan has not grasped the full funnel cake eating experience. Put those utensils down! Are you having any fun at all?

Morgan is also using a fork, but there's no doubt she's enjoying her treat!

Honestly, these were better than any we've ever had! And the mess? That's what the kids are for!

Funnel Cake

Ingredients:

1 egg
2/3 cup milk
2 tbsp. sugar
1 1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder

Directions:

1. In a deep skillet, heat about two cups of oil over medium-high heat until hot. Test the temperature by dropping a pinch of flour into the hot oil. If it sizzles right away without smoking, it's perfect.

2. Beat egg and milk. Mix all other ingredients in a separate bowl and slowly add to the egg mixture, beating until smooth.

3. Using a funnel, drop into hot oil working from center outwards in a web pattern. (You can use a gallon sized freezer bag instead of a funnel by pouring the batter into the bag, snipping off a small corner of it, and squeezing the batter into the oil.)

4. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, remove from the oil when golden brown and crispy.

5. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve