Maple Sugar Candy Recipe Laura Ingalls

Good Food

Inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder's Life on the Frontier

I grew up loving the Little House on the Prairie book series and so have my own daughters. There's a reason why the stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder still continue to be just as popular with the next generation and the magic endures today. 

We all still yearn for the simple things in life that give us the most joy, experiences like making old-fashioned foods such as Maple Sugar Candy at home. This is a wonderful project for you and your children to mix up together in your kitchen. It only requires a single ingredient: real maple syrup and, best of all, kids will enjoy eating this special sweet treat.

Watch the video to see how easy it is to make this sweet treat without having to go out and tap the maple tree for syrup like Laura used to do. Then get the recipe on the official website of Little House on the Prairie. 

Here's your chance to recreate this fun candy with or for your kids just like Laura or Ma might have made back in pioneer days as their family pushed forward, first settling in Minnesota and then moving on to South Dakota.

Call Of The Wild Bluray Review Twitter Party

Movies

Twitter Party with Prizes May 12th

Just a few months ago The Call Of The Wild (Rated PG, 2020), the live action/animation hybrid feature film starring Harrison Ford  entertained audiences on the big screen. As of May 12 the most modern and technically-sophisticated cinematographic interpretation of Jack London's classic novel to date is coming home. Set against the backdrop of the Canadian Yukon during the historical 1890s Gold Rush era, this epic adventure is now available for home entertainment on Digital and Blu-ray.

Since the book by the same name was first published in 1903, The Call of the Wild has been made into at least five films, including versions starring Hollywood's leading men like Clark Gable (1935) and Charlton Heston (1972).  

What's notable about the latest remake, this time by 20th Century Fox Studios, is that the relationship and bond that form in the Yukon Territory between a lost-in-life man named John Thornton (played by Ford) and a dog named Buck (ironically portrayed by a dog named Buckley, a St. Bernard - Scotch Collie mix rescued from an animal shelter by the movie's animal trainers ) is more realistic than ever. This is largely because this is the first time stop motion technology was used to animate all of the animal action in a full-length feature film of this magnitude.

The scenery, sets, costumes, and music are all spectacular -- which is no surprise considering 20th Century Fox was acquired by The Disney Company just over a year ago. However, what viewers will find particularly fascinating is how Buck's character was brought to life and so convincingly portrayed. You'll be looking at Buck in action scenes throughout this picture thinking how did they train that dog to do that because it sure doesn't look computer generated. 

Just a Few Scenes from The Call Of The Wild 

After watching this movie yourself, do not miss the behind the scenes making of extras that are included with interviews with the cast and crew. There you'll get a peek at -- among other backstage things -- how professional actor, stuntman and movement coach Terry Notary (Avatar, The Hobbit  film trilogy, Avengers: Infinity Wars, Avengers: Endgame), once a Cirque du Soleil performer and UCLA gymnast, channeled his inner focused hyper energy for the many stop motion sequences. In one of the bonus feature you'll be intrigued to see Notary at work as the action was filmed, wearing a tight gray suit and cap, and carbon fiber arm paw-like extensions that made it possible for him to walk, run, jump and move about on all fours like a real dog.

Twitter Party

When: Tuesday, May 12

Time: 6-7p PST/9-10p EST

Hashtag: #CALLOFTHEWILDBLURAY

RSVP Here

About The Call Of The Wild, Free Kids Activities

From 20th Century Studios and directed by Chris Sanders, The Call Of The Wild stars Harrison Ford, Omar Sy, Dan Stevens, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford, Cara Gee, Michael Horse, Jean Louisa Kelly, Colin Woodell, Adam Fergus and Abraham Benrubi. Learn more about this movie now on Digital and Blu-ray on the official website as well as follow all the film's related news on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Plus get lots of fun, free The Call Of The Wild movie-related Kids Activity Pages.

Virtual Mothers Day Home Party Ideas

Mothers Day

MBE partnered with Eli's Cheesecake Company for this post

Also a lovely idea for a Summer Backyard Party

Whether you'll be together at home or separated from loved ones by the current pandemic this Sunday, Mother's Day celebrations this year present new challenges we've never seen before. With restaurants still closed in most states (except for takeout), treating Mom to a lavish sit down meal at her favorite eatery won't be happening this year. Due to social distancing, even an extended family informal gathering at home to honor your family's matriarch isn't an option this time around, either. The good news is the party still can go on, with some creative modifications. So keep reading to find out how easily you can put together a truly special and memorable celebration for the first person you ever loved: your mother.

BoHo Mother's Day 

Garden Tea Party How-to

Fortunate enough to be sheltering in place with your mother and/or your own children? Seize this silver lining opportunity now. Start planning a beautiful but intimate boho-chic inspired Mother's Day Garden Tea Party in your backyard or on your balcony that will be a cherished memory for years to come.

1.Choose a Time & Send Out Party Invites
Let everyone know when the party will be so they can mark their calendars. Remember, because of the current social distancing still required in the majority of places here in the U.S., unless permitted otherwise only those who live or work in your household should be included on your in-person invite list. If the Mom you're honoring (or other party guests) aren't there with you, you can still send out email invites to them to join you virtually, patching in family and friends during the party using Zoom, Facebook Live or another free similar virtual meeting internet platform.

2. Order Desserts and Other Party Supplies for Home Delivery
Once you know how many people will be physically present, it's time to order the proper quantity of Mother's Day themed desserts and other items for delivery no later than the day before your celebration. Thanks to Eli's Cheesecake Company, this post features the limited edition Mother's Day Chocolate Enrobed Round Cheesecake;  the Raspberry Strawberry Cheesecake Heart; and bite-size Daisy Cuties mini cheesecakes. All of these (and other sweet desserts) are available at ElisCheesecakes.com for 1- and 2-Day shipping to you, well-packed in dry ice just in time for Mother's Day. 

Extra Tips: Having several different dessert options will take your table presentation to the next level. Also, if Mom (or any of your guests) are unable to be with you, why not ship them a cheesecake of their own so they can join the delicious virtual party fun even more? 

3. Create the Ambiance
On party day, weather permitting, arrange outdoor furniture in the backyard (or on your balcony) ideally in a pretty and shady spot. I positioned the white picnic table my son built from scrap lumber when he was in high school adjacent to our rose garden which is now in bloom. For those that don't have outdoor seating/table on hand, you can set up a folding table and some chairs outside or even host your celebration in your dining room or kitchen. If you don't have flowers growing in the yard, purchase some pretty potted flowering plants (or some floral bouquets) at a local market or nursery. My personal favorites are old-fashioned flowers like hydrangeas, daisies and of course, roses. To recreate the garden-like feel you see here, simply position the table near blooming plants in your yard and/or use potted or fresh flowers in vases on the table itself. 

Extra Tip: If you'd like, add some fun Mother's Day helium balloons or other decorations you can order online or buy in-store for curbside pickup.

4. Set the Table
Cover the table with a solid color tablecloth, rather than a print, for maximum impact to display your choice of beautiful desserts. Add a bit of elegance and pizazz to your tablescape with a piece of fabric folded lengthwise down the table's center. Gather some tea cups, saucers, a teapot, fancy dessert plates, silverware, and dainty paper or cloth napkins. This isn't a better time to break out your mismatched tea cups and antique silverware and embroidered linens. It's also a great chance to use your varied collection of serving platters, cake cutters and serving utensils. Most important of all: Be sure to show off that star dessert on a cake stand. 

Extra Tips: If you don't own a cake stand, not to worry. You can easily create one like I did using a large dinner plate centered and balanced on top of an upside down antique ice cream sundae dish or perhaps a bowl or short cocktail glass. For maximum eye appeal, set out the desserts on the table in style by using this popular professional caterer's trick: Creatively arrange your sweet spread at various high and low levels.

5. Capture the Memories
Don't forget to take lots of still photos of those gorgeous Instagram-worthy desserts after the table is set before the party begins. Then, take more still pictures (and video) throughout the celebration after everyone has gathered around the table, enjoying themselves. 

Extra Tips: Using one of the popular online DIY photo book suppliers, make a book with your photos as a gift for the Mom Guest of Honor to preserve and cherish the memories of this very unusual Mother's Day celebration. These also make great party favors, especially for those loved ones who weren't there to celebrate IRL. Also, if you have any dessert leftovers wrap them well and return to the original boxes, then pop them in your freezer to defrost and enjoy later. BTW, I know from personal experience that Eli's Cheesecakes freeze well.

WIN this Cheesecake

 for Mother's Day

About Eli's Cheesecakes

Perfect for parties and gift giving, Eli's offers a huge selection of delicious fresh-baked cheesecakes and desserts for special occasions like Mother's Day as well as celebrations throughout the year like Birthdays, Graduations and more. All products they make are certified kosher by Chicago Rabbinical Council (CRC). 

Standard Shipping* (usually $16.95) is currently offered free for a limited time with online orders when you use discount code FREESHIP at checkout at ElisCheesecake.com. Eli's desserts are perishable and shipped frozen, well-packed in dry ice and encased in a heavy-duty styrofoam container to ensure that each cake arrives ready for photographing. Priority Shipping, delivered in one business day, is offered for an extra charge.

Learn more about Eli's Cheesecake Company offerings on their official website. You can also keep up with all the news about Eli's seasonal and year-round delicious desserts by following them on social on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

*Standard Shipping for continental U.S. (call 800-ELI-CAKE for delivery/service info to Hawaii and Alaska) includes orders placed Sunday through Wednesday by 11 am CST to be delivered the same week. Orders placed later will be delivered the next week.

**Priority Shipping is also available for delivery to your doorstep within one business day for orders received by 11 am CST.