The Fall Crabapple Tart (September 2012)

The Fall Crabapple Tart

I decided to share with my NetworkforMoms.org friends a healthy old family recipe.  This recipe includes freshly picked organic crabapples . Crabapple tarts have been made for many years, but they always tasted too sour.. My mother made them years ago and hers had a nicer taste. I decided to make these tarts using my own recipe and they are delicious!  
According to HealthBerth.com, crabapples are 'a good source of fibre, Vitamin C and minerals (especially potassium).'  Their other health benefits are that: 'the soluble fibre may lower blood cholesterol and may help to protect against heart and circulatory disease.' (You can read HealthBerth.com's article 'Crabapples May Protect Heart Health' here: http://www.healthberth.com/2010/12/crab-apples-may-protect-heart-health.html)

I made these tarts as deserts and experimented with a few other ingredients to create new flavors for the tarts. My mother made her own pie crusts, but I used a store-bought crust for these. 

For these crabapple tarts, I added granola, made by Cook's Farm and Orchard in Brimfield, MA. I also made them with unsweetened coconut as a garnish. Above is what the tarts look like before they are cooked.  (All of my crabapple recipes can be found in my new cookbook "Cooking with Crabapples: Tasty Recipes")

 The granola I used is a special maple syrup granola.  The maple syrup is made by the son of the original owner of Cook's Farm and Orchard, Marge Cook.  Her son, Simeon Cook, lives in Vermont and makes maple syrup for the granola for Cook's Farm and Orchard.  The granola is very tasty and added a wonderful flavor to my tart.

(l-r) Gayle Aikey and Marge Cook of Cook's Farm, outside of the Prudential Mall

Cook's Farm and Orchard hosts an annual Harvest Fest at the farm in Brimfield, MA.  The festival is September 22-23, 2012 from 10am - 5pm.  Here is the link: www.CooksFarmOrchard.com
 

The festival is a fun day for families and includes the following activities:

• Pumpkin painting
• Face painting
• Pony rides
• Live Music: on Saturday and Sunday afternoon
• There is also a bake shop open all day featuring hot apple dumplings, homemade apple pies and ice cream.

This smiley face is made with my organic crabapple tarts and with Cook's Farm and Orchard maple syrup granola.  You can purchase the granola along with pies, jams, cookies and more at their stand:

Tuesdays and Fridays: Copley Square across from the Fairmont Hotel, Boston, MA
Thursdays: Outside of the Prudential Center Mall entrance on Boylston Street, Boston, MA

They will be at these locations until Thanksgiving and don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!

Happy tart making everyone!
Joy E.
Posted September 17, 2012
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"I can't wait to have my mom's crabapple tarts one day, yum!  Tee-hee!

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Birthday Parties: Fun for all! (September 2012)

Birthday Parties: Fun for all!

Now that my daughter has turned 1 year old, I have been thinking about what to do about her future birthdays. She has some ideas and wanted to share them with her Mommy's NetworkforMoms.org friends. She has created a list of ideas for her next 20 birthday parties and is very particular about the venues and themes.

I hope my fellow moms enjoy the list below that my daughter has put together, she has spent a lot of time finessing this list for her parents to follow.

"Hello everyone!  I wanted to share with you my list of party ideas.  I have been working on this list for a very long time.  As I celebrate my next 20 birthdays, all of my friends are invited to join me and catch the birthday spirit!  hee-hee!"






Age 1 & 2 

Mama & Me in Boston, MA:
My 1st birthday party included a play class and lots of play space! My mom and I also took classes at Mama & Me and had a great time!  My 2nd birthday party included a really fun paint class, you can check out my party here: http://networkformoms.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-2nd-birthday-party-our-version.html .  If you decide to use Mama & Me, don't forget to mention my mom, Joy, and  NetworkforMoms.org! http://www.mymamaandme.com/parties/


  Age 3 

Serving Massachusetts, S. New Hampshire and Rhode Island

Boston Princess Parties:
My 2 hour party will include wearing our best ball gowns, face painting, balloon creations and a photo session. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!      http://www.bostonprincessparties.com/activities.html

OR I might have a party that includes:


                                                      Jenny the Juggler, Boston, MA:

I want to have Jenny visit my party and entertain all of my friends with her juggling! She is Boston's best (and ONLY) female professional juggler since 1997 and I heard is totally fun for kids and mommies too! Jenny is great for holiday and birthday parties, community and school events. When my mom plans my birthday, I will make sure that she e-mails Jenny first and if my mom's friends use Jenny for a party, don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!

Email: jtjevents@gmail.com or call (617) 562-5758
https://www.facebook.com/JennyTheJuggler   

Age 4 

Children's Museum:
This party will be 2 hours long and include free all day admission to the museum. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!
 http://www.bostonkids.org/programs/birthday_parties.html


Age 5 

Boston Tea Party Ship: This birthday will begin at Abigail's restaurant and include a tour of the ship. For information about events, contact Elizabeth Carey at 617-531-6240. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org! http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/

OR I might have my party at:

                                            Thomas of Edaville, Carver, MA:
My friends (with parents) and I will enjoy this fun, family amusement park that includes rides, indoor and outdoor playspaces in beautiful cranberry country. We will dress up as in our favorite princess/superhero costume and strut our stuff in their parade! Dont forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!
http://www.edaville.com/parties-celebrations
5 Pine St.,  Carver, MA 02330
Phone: (508) 866-8190


Age 6 

  

Singing Beach, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
My party will include a barbecue lunch, playing frisbee and building sand castles. Beach attire required!
http://www.manchester.ma.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Singing-Beach-11

OR I might have a party at:

Location: 850 NH Route 16, Glen, NH 03838, 603-383-4186

StoryLand in Glen, New Hampshire
My party will include an afternoon of fun at this amusement park with rides for younger children like me. I just love this park, it is so clean and interesting!
Open on weekends only starting in May and daily beginning in June. Check out the calendar here: http://www.storylandnh.com/hours-and-directions/calendar

Plan your visit!:  http://www.storylandnh.com/info.html

                                                  
Age 7 

King Richards Faire in Carver, MA: My party will include renting costumes, getting our faces painted, attending the joust tournament and marching in the Royal parade! Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org! http://kingrichardsfaire.net/special-celebrations/childrens-birthday-parties/





OR I might have a party that includes:

Face Painting by Gin C. Productions
As part of my other party ideas, I wanted to have my friends come over and have their faces painted followed by a photo shoot to create a keepsake picture. I want to have Ginny Colangelo paint our faces!  My mom told me that she is a licensed professional make-up artist as well as a hair/make-up media artist. She has worked in the television and motion picture film industries receiving many media credits as part of her career.
Since she now offers glamour photo shoots for children, you can e-mail her at: gincproduction@aol.com to schedule a shoot. I can't wait for the party!
Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!
 http://www.gincproductions.com/index2.asp


Age 8 

The New England Aquarium (Boston, MA): I will combine a thrilling film at the Simons IMAX Theatre with lunch at a Faneuil Hall restaurant to create a fun-filled birthday bash! Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!
http://www.neaq.org/visit/host-an-event/social-celebrations/birthday-parties/


Age 9 

Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH:
My friends and I will spend the day having fun on the rides, eating fried dough and playing games. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!
http://www.canobie.com/

Age 10


Coco Key Water Resort in Danvers, MA:
We will have a half day of swimming and enjoying the water park. Also, my party will include a magic show and a pizza lunch. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!
https://www.cocokeyboston.com/events-parties/birthdays/


Age 11 


Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA: Visit the galleries, tour the Yin Yu Tang Chinese house and dinner followed by an evening show.

www.pem.org or, for smaller children, try the Pop-Up Art & Nature Center: Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org! http://www.pem.org/learn/for_families

Age 12 

Trip to the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, MA: A fun afternoon with my Tween friends shopping, having lunch and seeing our favorite movie.http://www.simon.com/mall/liberty-tree-mall/stores

Age 13

  

ICA - Teen Nights, Boston, MA:
I look forward to spending my first teen birthday viewing the art at the Institute for Contemporary Art and enjoying the "Teen Nights" art happenings organized and promoted for teens by teens. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!

Go to www.icaboston.org and perform a search for "Teen Nights", the list will appear for current and future Teen Nights!  https://www.icaboston.org/search?search_api_multi_fulltext=teen%20nights


Age 14 

Skoah. of Boston, MA:
We will spend the day getting a great facial and foot massage at this wonderful spa at 641A Tremont Street in Boston! They have their own line of skin products that they use for their special 'skin care workout' as part of their Skin Gym treatment.  Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!  http://www.skoah.com/locations/
 

Age 15 

Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA: Visit the galleries, have dinner followed by an evening show. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!
http://www.mfa.org/programs/music/







Age 16 


Newbury Street shopping trip in Boston, MA: A quick visit to Ben & Jerry's followed by shopping at the Closet and a visit to NikeTown!  An early Boston Symphony Orchestra performance concludes our day using our
$20 tickets purchased in advance and discounted for young people under 40 years old!
For more information about how to purchase these tickets from the 'Under 40 years old = $20 tickets' program at the BSO, here is the link and don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!: http://www.bso.org/brands/bso/tickets-events/special-offers/20-under-40.aspx

For $20 tickets for the under 40 crowd at Tanglewood, here is the link: http://www.bso.org/brands/tanglewood/classical/20-under-40.aspx

Age 17

Evening at the Theatre District in Boston, MA: Dinner at the
W Hotel followed by a performance at the Wang Theater. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!
http://www.bochcenter.org/Discover/Our-Theatres/Wang-Theatre/Wang-Theatre-Landing-Page


Age 18 

It’s back to Newbury Street, Boston, MA for a visit to Stephanie's on Newbury for an early lunch. Followed by a relaxing afternoon of people watching and shopping for our dormitory rooms. If you decide to visit Stephanie's, don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org! http://www.stephaniesonnewbury.com/





Age 19

The Museum of Modern Art, New York City

I will celebrate my last teenage year with friends in New York City!!  Dinner at Rosa Mexicano at Lincoln Center followed by my favorite Broadway show "Wicked".

Overnight at The Park Avenue Hotel, breakfast at Tiffany's, afternoon at Museum of Modern Art (http://www.moma.org/)
and the Chef Tasting Menu for dinner at The Modern.
http://www.themodernnyc.com/menus/#dinner-1
Or we will spend the afternoon visiting  
The Frick Collection (http://www.frick.org/visit) and enjoying the beautiful Garden Court before dinner at The Modern. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!

The Garden Court inside The Frick Collection, New York City.

Age 20

 

Visit to Martha's Vineyard, MA: My party will include an overnight stay at the Daggertt House in Oak Bluffs, a brunch in town and shopping during the day.  Beach attire required! http://www.mvol.com/
Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!












Age 21 

My big 21st birthday will begin with my friends and me dressing up in our finest Newbury Street outfits to later attend dinner at Cafe G at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, MA followed by a jazz show performed by the Berklee Caribbean Jazz ensemble.  We will enjoy the island rhythms in this program of Caribbean-inspired jazz, featuring Berklee College of Music students. Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org! http://www.gardnermuseum.org/music/music_at_the_gardner

The night to be capped off with a visit to The Encore Lounge for a few laughs: https://www.facebook.com/encoreloungeboston
Don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!

I hope my fellow moms enjoyed reading my daughter's list of her next 20 birthday parties. She is very excited to begin planning her birthday events and is looking forward to celebrating her birthdays and inviting her Mom's friends to join in. We have thoroughly enjoyed sharing our daughter's list with our NetworkforMoms friends and hope that everyone is having a great summer and if you decide to use any of these companies, don't forget to mention NetworkforMoms.org!

Happy birthday planning everyone!

Joy E.
Posted September 6, 2012

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Proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. NetworkforMoms.org is not paid by any of the companies mentioned above.

**Please do not use my articles and photos without permission from me.

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