CRAFTY SUZANNE

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: FRIGHT ICE

2011-10-27T13:09:00.002-04:00

Keep your Mad Lab beverages frosty cold with these creepy ice cube shapes. For the spooky hand, wash a latex-free rubber glove, fill with water, then tie up the end and freeze. When you're ready to use, just peel off the glove and place in a bowl of punch, sangria...whatever. For the floating brains, use a brain-shaped Jell-O mold to freeze water.

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: BRAAIIIINNNN CAKES

2011-10-27T12:57:00.001-04:00

What Mad Scientist doesn't love to dig into some sweet brains every now and then? Fortunately, these delicious brain treats don't require any special instruments to prepare. Simply cut a piece of store-bought pound cake or angel food cake to fit the bottom of a Ball Jar, top with canned cherry or raspberry pie filling, then pipe in pink frosting (if you don't have a pastry bag, simply use a plastic storage bag with a small hole cut out of the corner) to create the look of brains (or make butter cream frosting and add a few drops of red and black food coloring). And voila!.....sweet, juicy brain cakes for your lobe-loving guests to dig into.

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: MAD SCIENTIST COSTUME

2011-10-25T15:34:00.002-04:00

Yes, this is me and no, I didn't skip my facial this month : ) To create my Mad Lab look, I found an old lab coat in my Mom's basement, splattered it with red paint, then used my glue gun to cover it with creepy plastic spiders. I used a bit of white and green Halloween makeup to first get my skin good and pasty, then created a line of jagged scars with bit of eyeliner and fake blood. A spray of green colored hairspray and some drops of blood added to my tussled hair and I am transformed from Summerologist to maniacal doctor in under an hour.

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: SKULL SERVING DISH

2011-10-25T15:08:00.001-04:00

As you know by now, I'm a big fan of shopping at Goodwill stores for my props and craft supplies--(you can decorate your entire house for Halloween with just a bit of creativity at a fraction of the cost you'd pay at the big Halloween warehouses). So you can imagine my delight when I scored this ginormous Styrofoam skeleton head a few weeks ago for.....$3.00! I decided instantly that I was going to turn it into a serving vessel, so I traced the shape of a plastic bowl, had The Old Man give him a lobotomy with a box cutter and small saw, then nestled the bowl snugly inside his noggin'.

I'm envisioning guests scooping 'brains' of guacamole or perhaps a nacho cheese dip from this creepy cranium on Halloween eve.

PS You can still score your own big head here.

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: CREEPY JELL-O SHOTS

2011-10-25T14:44:00.001-04:00

Gummy Body Parts + lime Jell-O + some inexpensive petri dishes = One crazy Mad Lab experiment.
Candy body parts come in ear, finger, eyeball, brain, teeth + other creepy shapes (I added some gummy worms to the mix to make them extra creepy). For adults, turn these into wild Jell-O shots!

PS. If you want your Jell-O to glow in the dark under a black light, simply add tonic water!

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: 'STITCHES' TABLE CLOTH

2011-10-25T14:26:00.001-04:00

I turned this inexpensive Goodwill tablecloth into a scientist's sewing lesson gone mad. First cut jagged lines throughout the tablecloth (or, use an old sheet), then add splotches of red paint along the cuts (allow paint to dry) and finally sew holes back up with black embroidery thread. Good + gory!

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: CREEPY LABELS

2011-10-25T14:16:00.000-04:00

Inexpensive Ball jars, wine bottles and beverage jars are transformed into Mad Laboratory experiments with these creepy labels. Just print out the PDF files I provided, rub a bit of dirt over them to make them look old and weathered, then apply to jars with spray mount, glue or tape.

PS The ball jars are great for cocktails; use a unique label on each jar and voila!...devilishly clever 'wine charms'.

PRINT LABELS

SECRETS FROM A MAD LAB: BLOODY CANDLES

2011-10-25T13:30:00.001-04:00

To cast a gory glow, simply melt a red candle or red crayon down the sides of a white taper. Bloody fabulous!

SECRETS FROM A MAD LAB: SETTING THE MOOD

2011-10-25T13:30:00.000-04:00

No Mad Lab is complete without some creepy displays of psychotic science. Below are some last minute ideas for table settings that won't break the bank...

Plastic Frogs

No self-respecting Mad Lab can operate without a few frogs to dissect or embalm. I found my plastic frogs at A.C. Moore (or try a local toy store).

Science Experiments

The weirder the better is my motto when it comes to Mad Lab props. I took an inexpensive foam skull and inserted a plastic eyeball into each socket to create a wacky Mad Lab experiment.

Blood (and lots of it)

Use red sealing wax (or melt a red crayon) to drip blood down the sides of jars. Red paint is your best friend when it comes to splattering old tablecloths + napkins.

Eyeballs

Hide them in unexpected places.

Spiders

There's lots of arachnids in a Mad Lab, so apply liberally.

Test Tubes

Plastic test tubes for shooters, or fill with candy for kids goody bags

Old (rusty) stuff

Saws, tools, rusty machine parts--it's all welcome in the Mad Lab. I dug this antique scale out of storage which I love as a creepy prop.

Body Parts

You can never have too many severed plastic body parts when you're throwing a Mad Lab party. Hide them in unexpected places (inside guests coat pockets, behind seat cushions...) to surprise guests.

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB...SATURDAY, OCT. 29th

2011-10-25T13:20:00.003-04:00

Watch me as I share the secrets from my Mad Lab with the WTNH Good Morning Connecticut team, this Saturday, October 29th at 7:23. I promise a bloody good time!

P.S. Thinking of hosting a Zombie party? Pick up some tips from my 2010 Halloween show here

Holiday Entertaining: Wintry Wine Charms

2010-11-27T15:39:00.006-05:00

Yet another way to upcycled old sweaters; turn them into wintry wine charms.

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Quick WIne Wrappers

2010-11-24T10:50:00.003-05:00

Yes, that's the sleeve of a sweater! Cute beyond words.

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Salvaged Wool Jewelry

2010-11-24T08:34:00.003-05:00

With all the sweaters I've been cutting up lately, I wound up with a big old bag old scraps just waiting to be put to use. So, I decided to make some seasonally-appropriate jewelry with some of the leftovers. First I cut the pieces into long strips, then I tied them around inexpensive bangle bracelets from the craft store (better yet, use old ones you no longer wear) and Silkies cords, then I trimmed them down which created a fun and frilly effect that is perfect for the holiday season. And best of all, they're inexpensive and a snap to make.

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Sweater-Wrapped Vases

2010-11-17T09:00:00.004-05:00

What to do:
Snip off the sleeves of a small sweater and fit around a tall glass vase. Trim to fit, glue the bottom edge with a glue gun, and adorn with buttons if you desire.

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Christmas Stockings

2010-11-16T18:58:00.005-05:00

Why spend money on Christmas stockings when you can make your own quickly and inexpensively?

This sweater....

became this stocking...

in about a half hour this evening.

I simply cut out a stocking shape with a sharp scissor, sewed it up along the side edges, then added a cheery red hanging ribbon.

What a fabulous way to upcycle unloved old sweaters.

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Holiday Wreaths

2010-11-16T17:02:00.004-05:00

What to do:
Uncoil a wire hanger and form into a circular shape. Begin threading cut squares of wool from old sweaters along the wire until the entire wreath is formed, then twist the end closed. I used a length of wool from a complimentary sweater to form a bow at the bottom before hanging, but a colorful ribbon would look equally nice.

Total cost for 3 sweaters at the Goodwill? $9

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Toasty Candle Holders

2010-11-16T13:00:00.004-05:00

I simply cut the sleeve off of a small sweater + slipped it over an inexpensive candle holder (I found these two at the Goodwill for $1, but you can certainly reuse old jars as well!), then used my trusty glue gun to secure the sleeve in place along the edges. Once the glue dried I tied a little 'scarf' around the collar + added a couple of buttons to the front (you can either sew these on before gluing, or glue them on with your gun if you're feeling lazy).

The result is an adorable addition to the holiday table, or a sweet hostess gift.

Upcycled Holiday Gifts

2010-11-16T12:52:00.002-05:00

Woohoo!...new TV spot at the end of this month! I'll be turning old sweaters into holiday keepsakes so stay tuned for upcycled craft ideas coming soon.

No Sweat Holiday Gifts
with Suzanne Brown
Sunday, November 28th 7:38am
Good Morning Connecticut, WTNH

Zombie Party: My Halloween Zombie Spot

2010-11-01T08:33:00.003-04:00

Watch!

Zombie Party: My Costume (Miss Zombie 2010)

2010-10-29T15:49:00.007-04:00

As of 3:00 EST, I am officially undead. And the brilliant part is, I became this way for under $30! Old bridesmaids dress from the Goodwill = $10. Theatrical makeup + fake blood from the Halloween store = $7. Tiara, fur boa, gloves and jewelry from the toy section of Kmart = $8. Red paint = $2. Crepe paper = $2. (If you want to bust your budget, splurge on a rubber hand or foot at the Halloween store for about $8)

The look on people's faces when they see a zombie beauty queen shuffling down the street while chomping on a bloody hand?

Priceless.

,

Zombie Party: Bloody Limb Wine Charms

2010-10-28T13:39:00.003-04:00

$2.00 thrift store doll + a 4 safety pins, some ribbon + paint = 4 delightfully gory wine charms. Make sure you bloody each one in a different place!

Zombie Party: GingerZombies

2010-10-27T12:18:00.008-04:00

Oh, what a cute little gingerbread....ZOMBIIIIEEEEE!!!!! These clever cookie cutters from Fred ABC allow you to make a headless, armless or legless GingerZombies in a snap. Or, just use your own cookie cutter, and start slicing and dicing off body parts before baking your little brain-eating treats. In need of a classic ~~gingerbread~~ gingerDEAD recipe? Get it here.

Zombie Party: Playlist for the Undead

2010-10-27T12:02:00.002-04:00

If you're looking to add a little spooky ambiance to your Zombie Halloween fête, look no further. I've compiled a list of my favorite morbid music, and the good news is, they're available on iTunes for about a buck. That's not very frightening at all.

Your Halloween Playlist
Bat out of Hell, Meatloaf
Black Magic Woman, Santana
Devil with the Blue Dress On, Mitch Ryder
Devil Woman, Cliff Richard
Disturbia, Rihanna
Don’t Fear the Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult
Evil Ways, Santana
Evil Woman, Electric Light Orchestra
Friend of Devil, Grateful Dead
Ghostbusters, Ray Parker, Jr.
Ghost Riders in the Sky, Outlaws (or Johnny Cash…equally cool)
I Put a Spell on You, Screaming Jay Hawkins
Little Devil, Neil Sedaka
Love Potion Number Nine, The Searchers
Monster Mash, Bobby "Boris" Pickett
People Are Strange, Echo + The Bunnymen
Pet Sematary, The Ramones
Psycho Killer, Talking Heads
Running with the Devil, Van Halen
Season of the Witch, Donovan
Somebody's Watching Me, Rockwell
Spooky, Atlanta Rhythm Section
Sympathy for the Devil, Rolling Stones
That Old Black Magic, Frank Sinatra
Thriller, Michael Jackson
This is Halloween (from Nightmare Before Christmas)
Werewolves of London, Warren Zevon
Witchcraft, Frank Sinatra
Witchy Woman, Eagles
Zombie Zoo, Tom Petty

Theme Songs
Addams Family
Bewitched
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Casper the Friendly Ghost
Dark Shadows
Friday, 13th
The Exorcist
Halloween
Jaws
The Omen
Outer Limits
Phantom of the Opera
Psycho
The Shining
Tales from the Crypt
Twilight Zone
X Files

and, ANY SONG from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, of course!

Zombie Party: A Zombie's Favorite Cocktails

2010-10-27T08:23:00.003-04:00

BLOODY MARY
3 oz Tomato Juice
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
Black Pepper & Salt
3 dashes Worcestershire
2 drops tabasco sauce
Lemon wedge, olives, cocktail onions, shrimp cocktail or celery for garnish

Add all of the ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well, then strain into a tall ice-filled glass. Garnish.
Makes 1 cocktail

ZOMBIE COCKTAIL
151 rum
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz orange juice
1/2 oz apricot brandy
1 tsp sugar
2 oz light rum
1 oz dark rum
1 oz lime juice

Add all of the ingredients except the 151 rum to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into a tall glass. Top with the 151 proof rum and garnish with a slice of fruit.
Makes 1 cocktail

Zombie Party: Blood-Stained Curtains

2010-10-27T08:22:00.002-04:00

I bought these curtains at the Goodwill store for $5, then hand painted bloody red prints across them with acrylic paint. Total cost? Under $7. This would work equally well with an old tablecloth, too.

+

=

Zombie Party: Zombification Photos

2010-10-27T08:21:00.001-04:00

Turn your favorite photo into a zombie portrait with just a bit of acrylic paint and and your warped imagination. If you have old duplicate photos hanging around, this makes a great--and inexpensive--Halloween prop that you can use year after year. Kids especially will love creating these.

Zombie Party: Braiiiiinnnnnn Cakes

2010-10-26T12:09:00.005-04:00

For you brainaholics out there, try these Red Velvet Cupcakes piped with buttercream icing then sprayed lightly with Wilton Color Mist in pink. I added a drizzle of red cake gel for blood and sprayed just a touch of green Color Mist on the edge for zombie power. It's the next best thing to fresh zombie brains.

PS. In a rush for your brains? Duncan Hines makes a Red Velvet cake mix!

Zombie Party: Braiiiiinnnnnn Pops

2010-10-26T11:46:00.007-04:00

Brains on a stick are make my mouth water! Get the brain mold here. Wafer candies here. Paint melted chocolate on with a small paintbrush, allow to dry, then add final color before chilling brains in the fridge until they're solid. Then, dig into some sweet, yummy brains!

PS. Check out the Daddy Warbucks plate I found at the Goodwill store + Zombified!

What You'll Need:

What to Do:

Zombie Party: Wiggly, Jiggly Braiiiinnnns

2010-10-26T11:31:00.006-04:00

After dinner, nothing quite beats big bowl of squishy brains, especially when they’re watermelon flavored. This jiggly cerebrum is made using an inexpensive brain mold and three packets of your favorite pink or red colored Jello. Just a few hours in the fridge and you have yourself a deliciously gory treat.

Zombie Party: Zombieee Fingerrrrs

2010-10-26T11:09:00.007-04:00

Who doesn't enjoy chomping on a delicious zombie finger now and then? Fortunately, it's very easy to get your fix with these inexpensive finger molds and a few bags of colored candy melts (I got mine at AC Moore here). I simply painted in the fingernails and blood first with a small paintbrush dipped in melted chocolate. Then when that dried, added green and blue to make the fingers. After a brief cooling in the fridge to solidify....Zombieliciousness!

What You'll need:

What to do:

Suzanne Brown is Back + Undead

2010-10-04T09:15:00.005-04:00

I'm tickled green to announce that after a long hiatus, I just signed on to do a Zombie-themed Halloween segment for my good friends at WTNH in New Haven. Tune in on Halloween morning as we bite into brains, nibble on body parts, embrace all that is undead + hungry.

ZOMBIE PARTY
with Suzanne Brown
WTNH, News Channel 8
Sunday, October 31st at 7:38 am

PS. This means new recipes + crafts are coming!

It's a good day to make pesto

2010-07-30T12:54:00.001-04:00

Fresh Pesto (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide

This fresh basil sauce is perfect for spreading on grilled toasts, mixing into warm pasta, as a pizza topping, or to add flavor to Italian soups.

Ingredients:
4 cups fresh basil leaves, well packed
4 cloves garlic, lightly crushed and peeled
1-cup pine nuts or walnuts (or a combination of the two), lightly toasted if you prefer.
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino cheese (or a combination of the two)
1 – 1 ½ cups olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Place basil leaves, garlic and nuts in food processor and process until finely chopped. Add cheese and pulse until combined. While machine is still running, slowly add olive oil and salt and pepper.

Store pesto in an airtight container with a thin coating of olive oil on top to keep the sauce from turning brown. Pesto will keep well in the refrigerator for about a week. If you want to freeze batches of pesto, omit the cheese; you can add it once it’s thawed.

Makes about 3-½ cups

Sweet idea!

2010-07-24T08:42:00.001-04:00

Love this clever idea that turns plain old ho-hum matchboxes into summery gift boxes for tiny treasures. From Tales from an OC Cottage.

Thank you BH&G

2010-07-22T11:36:00.001-04:00

A big shout out to Better Homes and Gardens for including my Summerology blog in their August issue. Get to their website riiiiight here....

+ get to Summerology here! (what took you so long?)

Quick Pickled Veggies

2010-07-02T10:26:00.003-04:00

I'm making pickled cukes today, but feel free to pickle whatever crunchiness your garden throws at ya; carrots, green beans, beets, radishes, celery, or cauliflower all work just fine.

Quick Refrigerator Pickled Veggies (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
Makes 1 pint (but I always triple the recipe)

Cleaned fresh veggies
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp sugar
1 clove of garlic, halved
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
3-4 sprigs of dill
water (add last to top off jar)

Optional if you want your pickled veggies with a kick: Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, and/or 1 hot pepper (jalapeno, habanero or Serrano)

Add all of the ingredients to clean jar, seal, then shake gently to combine ingredients. Refrigerate for a few days until the vegetables absorb all the pickling flavors. (Note: If you opted for spicy and they start to get too spicy, simply remove the hot pepper.)

Pickled veggies will stay in the fridge for 2-3 months.

15 Easy Summer Appetizers

2010-06-25T09:23:00.005-04:00

So by now we've all realized that it's summer and therefore much more pleasant being outside having fun than inside cooking. But if you're like me, you still like to entertain -- and eat! -- so you're always on the lookout for simple recipes that come together quickly, but are still sophisticated.Below I've compiled a list of what I'll be whipping up this summer season, using the best and the least ingredients possible.

Fresh dates stuffed with goat cheese, sealed with a toothpick + grilled (I might try these wrapped in bacon, too.)
This sun dried tomato + goat cheese spread
Edamame, boiled and salted + served with saketini's
Bruschetta, fresh mozzarella, toasted french bread
Red snapper ceviche or shrimp ceviche
Homemade guacamole (mashed avocado's with minced jalapeno, squirt of lime juice, s+p)
Deviled eggs
Grilled oysters
A smoked fish platter of smoked trout, salmon + oysters served with horseradish cream (sour cream mixed with horseradish, s+p) + water crackers
Candied bacon
Crab salad in endive boats
Cherry tomatoes (hollowed out) stuffed with Boursin
This hot crab dip

Happy National Artichoke Day.

2010-03-16T19:09:00.000-04:00

STUFFED ARTICHOKES (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
Makes 4 servings

4 large artichokes
1 lemon, sliced in half
2 cups dried plain bread crumbs
1 cup grated Italian cheese (Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, Asiago)
1⁄3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 tsp. black pepper
8-10 cloves garlic (depending on the size), finely chopped
Olive oil
Chicken stock (or water)

Preheat oven to 425°.

Cut stems from bottoms of artichokes so they sit flat. Next, cut about 1/4 to 1/3 off the top of the artichoke, then pull off the tough outermost leaves and trim any sharp tips from exposed leaves with scissors. Rub the outsides of the artichokes with the lemon halves, opening up the leaves like a flower as you work.

Combine bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, pepper, and garlic in a large bowl. Working over the bowl, begin sprinkling the stuffing over one artichoke at a time, using your fingers to work the mixture between the leaves. Transfer stuffed artichoke to a shallow glass baking dish, then continue stuffing the remaining three.

Drizzle artichokes with a bit of olive oil. Add about 1 inch of chicken stock or water to the baking dish, then cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes - 1 hour, or until outer leaf pulls off easily, then finish them under the broiler for a few minutes until golden.

Serve with lemons on the side.

Homemade for Mom: BEACH GLASS CHARMS

2009-05-06T12:48:00.004-04:00

Ok, by now you know the story of my life--I'm in love with summer (yada, yada, yada). So it should come as no surprise to you that to go along with this little summer obsession of mine. I--among other things--have a giganormous collection of beach glass in all shapes, colors and sizes. So, last year, I decided to put some of my favorite pieces to good use. I dug through my collection for the most interesting colored pieces, wound some wire around them, and then strung them on to leather cords. The results of that little crafting experiment are the lovely necklaces above, which work well with both old faded jeans, or your favorite summer dress. If your mom happens to be a Summerologist like me, I guarantee she will love one this Mother's Day. Make two, and you'll be receiving compliments from now until Labor Day.

Homemade for Mom: STACKED PENDANTS

2009-05-04T12:18:00.001-04:00

STACKED PENDANTS
What you'll need:
Pliers
Seed beads
Head pins (preferable with a loop at the end)
String or chain
Buttons or drilled sea glass

Decide on the pattern you are using, and slide the head pin through the holes of either the buttons or the head pins. You can use funky colored seed beads as spacers in between.

Step 2: When you are done stacking your pendant, cut the excess wire from the headpin, and carefully make a small loop a the end with your pliers to close the end off.

Hook a chain or loop some string, ribbon, or leather through both of the loops to create a great and funky necklace!

Homemade for Mom: BUTTON JEWELRY

2009-05-04T08:53:00.004-04:00

I am in love with old buttons, so when my crafty niece, Maureen, showed me these adorable bracelets she crafted out of an odd assortment of them, my head almost popped off. The directions to make them are below, but if you're feeling less than ambitious, order one today at Ladida.

BUTTON JEWELRY
What you’ll need:
Pliers
Craft wire
Buttons
Various findings (depending on the jewelry you are creating)

For Bracelet:

Step 1: Create a loop at the end of a piece of wire.

Carefully loop the tail around the loop to fasten it.

Add a button and cut off about an inch and a half after the button. Create another loop on the other side of the button and wrap it in the same way.

Next, repeat all steps, except with start by weaving the next piece of wire through the original button’s loop before closing the loop. Continue this process until desired length is reached.

Homemade for Mom: FELT BEAD JEWELRY

2009-05-01T08:17:00.007-04:00

I've been having so much fun making these felted beads. They're simple to make and the results are utterly charming. If you're in a rush--or just not feeling particularly crafty--head to your local craft or bead store to pick up some pre-made ones (visit www.acmoore.com and do a keyword search for feltworks) to string up into bracelets, necklaces, or to dangle from earrings.

P.S.
Alot of people have been writing to ask me about the wool used here--yes, it's also called roving wool. I purchased mine at AC Moore, but like everything else in this world, you can also buy it online in bulk to save money. And, if you want to purchase the pre-made beads and you don't have an AC Moore near you, visit www.acmoore.com and do a keyword search for feltworks, and they'll come up. Good luck! S.

Homemade for Mom: LEATHER CUFF BRACELETS

2009-05-01T08:00:00.001-04:00

Perhaps your mom is a bit of a bohemian, or maybe you have a cool friend you'd like to wish a Happy Mom's Day to. This leather cuff could not be easier to make, yet it's stylish and tres hip. I used scraps of leftover leather that I found at my local craft store, and turned out a baker's dozen in about an hour. Simply poke a small hole on one side of a strip of leather, thread a long piece of leather cord through, tie a knot, then wrap the bracelet around your wrist. To secure, simply tuck the end of the cord in under itself.

Rock on!

Joy + Clotheslines

2009-04-05T16:30:00.000-04:00

Last night I had dinner with my friend Terry, and, as I have found to to be the case when I spend time with a woman as opposed to a man, we spent very little time discussing topics like work and economy, more time chatting about the things that give us joy in life--things like family, and friends, home, health, and faith. After dinner, I hugged Terry goodbye, and as I walked to my car I realized--despite the fact that I had just wolfed down a lamb T-bone large enough for a caveman--I felt lighter. I felt lighthearted. For suddenly I realized that I had grown up to become a woman who makes decisions in life that are not about money or material things, but rather simple joys. I thought about the upcoming summer and what I am most looking forward to, and I was happily surprised that I could not list one thing that had a price tag associated with it. Instead, the things I long for the most are to hang a clothesline for the first time in years, to sit in a big old tire tube on a lake with a gin and tonic in my hand at the end of a long day, to grow a really fabulous vegetable and herb garden, to plant a preposterously large row of sunflowers, to string up a hammock, and to barbecue as much as humanly possibly.

I know the economy sucks right now, but I have to admit that I am almost relieved that we as a nation are returning to simpler times. There is no shame in living leaner, appreciating things we've in the past taken for granted. I for one, cannot wait to sleep under sheets that have been kissed by the sun and a warm summer breeze, and to wake up to a big vase of sunflowers smiling at me from my bedside table.

SCENTED LINEN WATER
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide

Infuse your linens with the sweet summery scent of flowers or herbs. Spray onto your sheets and pillowcases before ironing to add a soft scent, spray onto sheets to freshen up the bed between washings, or use as a lightly-scented room spray.

Spray bottle (sterilize with boiling water before using)
10-20 drops (or more, depending on your preference) of an essential oil. You might try lavender, peppermint, rosemary, spearmint, rose, jasmine or any other summery scent.
3 ounces non-flavored high proof (80+) vodka
25 ounces distilled water

Pour the essential oil and vodka into spray bottle and shake well until it is thoroughly mixed, then add the distilled water. Shake well before each use.

New TV Spot! HOMEMADE FOR MOM - May 9th

2009-03-12T18:18:00.007-04:00

After taking the winter off for some much needed battery recharging, I'm filled with joy to announce that I just signed on to do a few new TV spots with my good friends at WTNH in New Haven. First up is a Mother's Day craft show on May 9th. I'm hoping to get my mom and my niece to join me on that show, so stop back soon for new crafts and recipes especially for the ladies we love!

Homemade for Mom
with Suzanne Brown
WTNH, News Channel 8
May 9th at 7:40 am

Happy Spring!
Suzanne

Winter, Summer...Whatever.

2009-02-20T14:35:00.000-05:00

It's truly inhumane today in New York with a windchill in the single digits, but I can feel spring in the air nonetheless. The light has changed; the sun is higher up in the sky and now it peeks up a bit earlier in the a.m. and tucks down just a smidge later in the p.m. Just as the day starts, I now hear the familiar sound of the spring birds sing-songing outside my bedroom window, which needless to say gives me great joy. The thaw is coming, friends.

Of course winter has not stopped me from summering; I've been barbecuing each and every weekend + a little windchill isn't about to hold me back now. Last weekend it was baby back ribs with the homemade BBQ sauce from my book + a delicious sweet corn pudding on the side. This Saturday night I'm planning on coating two plump chickens with a spice rub, perching both of those bad boys over beer cans, and cooking them for about an hour over a low heat. If you've never had beer can chicken, I suggest you get busy this weekend because it's simply the best BBQed chicken ever.

Winter, summer...it's just a state of mind. Just don't forget your hat and mittens.

BEER CAN CHICKEN (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
From my book: Summer: A User's Guide

Ingredients - Spice Rub:
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1-teaspoon garlic powder

1 whole chicken, 4 to 5 pounds, giblets removed
2 teaspoons vegetable or olive oil
1 can of beer

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine spice rub ingredients and set aside.

Rinse chicken with cold water, pat dry with paper towels

Lightly coat chicken with oil, then season, inside and out, with the spice rub mixture.

Open the beer can and pour out ¼ of the beer. Carefully place the can on a flat surface, then lower the chicken onto the beer can so the can fits snugly inside the cavity of the bird. Be careful not to spill the beer.

The chicken will need to cook upright, so carefully place it on the grill and balance it on its two legs and the can – like a tripod.

Close the lid to the grill and cook over indirect medium heat until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 170°F in the breast and 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh (Approximately 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours).

When done, carefully remove the chicken from the grill, being careful not to spill the hot beer.

Allow bird to rest for approximately 10 minutes before lifting it from the can.

Discard beer, carve chicken and serve.

Serves 3-4

Love Coupons

2009-02-06T16:54:00.003-05:00

For your Valentine. Simply print them out, cut along the lines, staple one side, and you are ready to profess your love.

Soak.

2009-02-06T16:39:00.003-05:00

It's been a long week. It's cold. The economy stinks. Time for a soak.

OLD FASHIONED BATH SALTS (Print Instructions)
Salt (Your choice of Epsom, Sea or Kosher. I personally like Epsom.)
Baking soda
Essential oil of your choice (I have a soft spot for Eucalyptus.)

Mix the salt, baking soda, and a few drops of essential oil together in a clean, dry jar, and seal. When you are ready to use, add about a half to a full cup of the salt mixture to your running bath.

Enter tub. Soak away your troubles. Say ahhhh...

Chapped Lips?

2009-01-28T16:22:00.002-05:00

SUGAR LIP SCRUB
Brown or white sugar
Light olive oil
Mix sugar with olive oil to form a thick paste. To use, rub a small amount across lips with your finder to slough off dry skin.

Rinse.

Pucker up.

Smooch.

More Snow.

2009-01-28T16:09:00.003-05:00

I'm hibernating. With fondue.

If you could use a Cosmo as much as I can today....

2009-01-22T15:59:00.001-05:00

...go here.

Politically Correct People Made of Snow

2009-01-14T07:56:00.004-05:00

How to Build the Perfect Snow Person (DOWNLOAD PDF)
To build the perfect snow person, you'll need a few inches of good ‘'packing' snow on the ground. If you’re uncertain as to the type of snow you have, try to make a snowball; if it clumps together easily (not too wet, not too powdery), you’ve got packing snow. Now, start building....

Building the base...
First, make sure you have warm gloves or mittens on, then grab a handful of snow and form a snowball. With your hands, pack more snow on to the ball until it’s too large to hold.

Place the snowball down on the snow, and slowly roll it away from you. As more snow accumulates on your snowball, pack it down with your hands. Continue rolling and packing until you have a big enough base for the bottom of the snowman.

Repeat the procedure above to create a slightly smaller ball for the mid-section, then third slightly smaller ball for the head. Place the body on the base, then the head on the body, packing some extra snow between the layers to ‘glue’ the sections together.

Decorating your new snow friend...
Add a face, arms and accessories, and your snow person is ready to greet the world (or, at least your neighbors)...

For eyes: Charcoal briquettes, black “checkers” pieces, rocks, small rubber balls, walnuts, buttons

For the nose: Carrot, parsnip, charcoal briquette, banana, rock, rubber ball, small funnel, pinecone

For a mouth: Carrots, red or black licorice, rocks, charcoal briquettes, buttons, walnuts, dried beans

To add hair: Old mop head, tangle of yarn

To give him or her arms: Twigs/Branches, old badminton racquets, two pieces of cut hose, ski poles, or, form arms out of snow

Don’t forget the accessories: Scarf, hat, bandanna, plastic tiara, handbag, Halloween mask, sunglasses, broom, beaded necklace, sprig of holly, pipe, bow tie, fake flowers, apron, flag

More fun features: Use a spray bottle filled with red food coloring and water to give your snow person rosy cheeks. Blue or green dye makes great eye shadow for a snow woman.

Snow-B-Q

2009-01-11T16:48:00.000-05:00

I barbecued last night in the middle of a classic northeast snowstorm, by the light of a small flashlight, wearing layers of Thinsulate and Gortex, and it was the happiest I've been in as long as I can remember.

I am in love.

I am in love with irreverance.
And, non-conformity.
I am in love with coloring outside the lines.
And not eating my vegetables.
I am in love with sleeping at odd hours, if I so please.
And, laughing too loud at a stupid joke that only I get.
I am in love with the fact that I am becoming the person I want to be, and that I have finally--at the cusp of 45--stopped making excuses, or concocting explanations for my idiocincracies.

I am what I am, and who I am. And that person chooses to grill Caribbean pork tenderloin on a full-moon night, in the middle of a January snowstorm, while drinking summerhouse margarita's, and laughing out loud at the lunacy of it all.

Grilled Island Pork Tenderloin (PRINT RECIPE CARD)

I first discoverd this recipe for Island Pork Tenderloin Salad in Gourmet magazine back in 2003, and instantly fell in love with it. But being a Summerologist and all, I wanted to be able to cook it outside on the grill, so I got rid of the salad part and simply marinated the pork in a Ziploc bag for several hours, then threw it on the grill until the internal temperature reached 140°F. The result is a delicious BBQ-ed pork that pairs perfectly with mashed sweet potatoes, fried plantains, a spicy slaw, or rice and beans (or, go crazy, invite some friends over, and make all of those). And, just because it's winter, doesn't mean you can't head outside and enjoy a taste of summer tonight; summer--as I've said before--is not only a season, but a state of mind.

I'm living proof of that.

2 pork tenderloins (2 1/4 to 2 1/2 pounds total)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce

Place all ingredients in a large Ziploc bag, combine well, then refrigerate for several hours. Preheat grill for ten minutes on high heat, then place tenderloins on grill, and sear meat on all sides until brown. Lower heat, close grill top, and cook for approximately 5-8 minutes on both sides. Tenderloins are ready when a thermometer inserted diagonally in the center of each registers 140°F. Remove tenderloins from the grill, and let stand on a cutting board for 10 minutes (temperature will rise to about 155°F while standing) before cutting into thick (1 - 1/1/2") slices.

Serves 6-8

Play in the Snow!

2009-01-08T17:57:00.007-05:00

Snow is in the forecast for New York this Saturday. Time to put away the Wii + Guitar Hero, head outside and get busy making some old fashioned snow angels (and have fun in the white stuff, in general!).

SNOW GAMES (PRINT PDF)

Making Snow Angels
Find an area of fresh snow free of rocks or sticks.

Stand up straight, then gently fall backwards into the snow onto your back. Using a sweeping motion, move your arms back and forth between your head and waist, while opening and closing your legs (like you are doing jumping jacks laying down) at the same time. Repeat until you’ve made the imprint of an angel in the snow.

Have someone pull you up by your arms, being careful not to step on your creation. To add color, use spray bottles filled with food coloring and water.

Snow Tug of War
Using a shovel, mound snow into a waist or chest- high-wall, then split players into two teams on opposite sides of the wall.

Each team gets an end of rope (approximately 122 feet long) to grab on to. Someone should call out "Get ready. Get set. Go!" at which point team members should begin pulling the rope with both hands as hard as they can, trying to pull the other team through the snow wall.

Snow Baseball
Carve a baseball diamond in the snow with a snow shovel, or use a spray bottle filled with food coloring and water to mark the field in the snow. Make small mounds of snow to represent home plate, first, second and third bases. Now, play ball!

Snow Football
Carve a football field in the snow with a snow shovel, or use a spray bottle filled with food coloring and water to mark the field in the snow. Divide players into two teams, then have each team line up at opposite ends of the field for kickoff. Once someone on the receiving team catches the ball, he tries to move it back across the defense's goal line by running with it or passing it to a teammate. Play stops if the person with the ball is tagged by an opponent or slides out of bounds. The teams then face off again on the spot. After four tries, or a touchdown, the ball goes to the other team. The game ends when either team gets cold.

Snowlympics
Snow Hurdles
Roll snow into large balls, then line them up to create a course. Whoever runs the course the fastest wins.

Snowball Throw
Dye snowballs different colors with a spray bottle filled with food coloring and water. Each player gets a different colored snowball, and throws their ball as far as they can in the same direction. The player who throws their snowball the farthest wins.

Snowball Roll
Players start with a snowball, then roll it in the snow. The player with the largest ball of snow wins. PS. This game can be played with teams, too.

Snow Toss
Line plastic soda bottle up in the snow. Players line up 20-30 feet away and take turns trying to knock them down with snowballs. The one who knocks down the most bottles is the winner.

Winter Treasure Hunt
Bury plastic toys in a big mound of snow. When someone calls out "Get ready. Get set. Go!" players should dig into the mound to find the toys. The player with the most toys wins.

An Old-Fashioned Snowball Fight
Divide players into two or more teams. Each team should find a protected area as their base (eg: behind a wall or tree, or snow bunker), then make a supply of snowballs (using just snow...no rocks, sticks or ice!)

When all the teams are ready, the game starts. The idea is to hit the other team players with snowballs (players that get hit by snowballs are out of the game.) and capture their base.

Snow Art
For this competition, you’ll need an unbiased judge to choose a winner.

Have teams use their imagination to create a work of art using snow. Some fun ideas are a snow castle, snow sports car, snow pig, snow spaceship, or snow mermaid. Teams can use any sorts of props to embellish their creation, or use spray bottles filled with food coloring and water to add color. When everyone is done, have the judge announce the winner.

NEW....from my readers!
Submitted by Babiebluz...
Snow Crayons
Just take those picnic type mustard/mayo/ketchup bottles and fill them with warm water and a few drops of food coloring and let the kids draw or write their name; its sooo much fun!

Submitted by Julie...
Home Sweet Igloo
We made igloos from square tupperware type containers...then the girls decorated by adding a house number, rugs etc. using the colored water idea.

Classic Hot Toddy

2009-01-04T12:05:00.005-05:00

I've been sick with some horrible lung-eating scourge for two weeks now, and I've just about had it. Scratch that--I've officially had it.

Cough meds are futile. Antibiotics did nothing. I'm now going old school; it's hot toddy time.

Classic Hot Toddy (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
There are many variations of this hot drink which originated in the 18th century, but it's traditionally made with tea, whiskey or brandy, and honey. If you'd like, you can add a bit of cinnamon or cloves to it, substitute orange for the lemon, or top it off with a small pat of butter. However you enjoy it, it is sure to warm you up on a cold day. Me? I'm hoping it knocks the #$@* out of this pesky cough of mine, once and for all.

1 1/2 ounces whiskey (or brandy, if you prefer)
1 ounce honey
1/3 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice (or a slice of orange)
3 ounces boiling water or hot tea
Cinnamon stick (optional)
Pat of butter (optional)

Pour boiling water or tea into a mug with whiskey or brandy, honey and lemon juice. Enjoy!

Pinecone Firestarters

2009-01-04T11:27:00.004-05:00

It's blustery, frigid (miserable, horrible, not fit for man nor beast; I can go on and on....) January in the northeast, and all I want to do these days (besides eat mashed potatoes + drink red wine) is sit by the fire. Luckily for me, these firestarters are a snap to create, and make a great hostess gift when wrapped up in a festive bag, or basket.

Dried pinecones
Paraffin wax / ends of used candles
Double Boiler
Tongs
Waxed paper
Crayon with paper removed (optional)
Dried, crushed herbs or glitter (optional)
Fragrance (optional)

Gather up a bunch of dried pinecones, or--if they are not yet dried--you can speed up the process by placing them on a foil-lined cookie sheet and baking in a 150 degree oven oven for around two hours.

In a double boiler over medium-low heat, melt a block of paraffin wax, or the ends of used candles. If you want to add color, you can throw an old crayon to the mixture. For scented firestarters, add a few drops of a fragrance or essential oil.

Using tongs, carefully dip the pinecones into the wax to coat, then allow to dry on a sheet of waxed paper. You can also dip your waxed candles into dried, crushed herbs or glitter, to make them even more beautiful.

To use, place one or two in the fireplace with your kindling before lighting.

Can't eat him? Then save him!

2008-11-25T13:12:00.004-05:00

Can't bear to gobble up Tom this Thanksgiving? Then adopt him instead! Visit http://www.adoptaturkey.org to rescue a turkey today.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Love,
Suzanne

Apples, Apples, Everywhere

2008-11-18T17:49:00.010-05:00

Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Ginger Gold, McIntosh, Granny Smith, Fuji—it seems there are as many apple varieties as there are ways to enjoy them. We mash them into sauce, fry them into fritters, bake them into pies, press them into cider, shred them into slaws, ferment them into vinegar. We bob for them, candy them, dry them, carve them, and remain faithful to the notion that eating one a day will help keep the doctor away. I’ve even been told that by having an apple pie baking in the oven when you’re selling your home will make buyers stay longer & look more intently.

Our collective love of apples started with poor Eve, who despite living in the Garden of Paradise with Adam simply couldn’t resist having a taste of that sweet, forbidden fruit. (I’d do a lot for a Macoun picked straight off a tree on a crisp October day, but I draw the line at bearing the burden of Original Sin.)

Personally, I’m a sucker for warm, cooked apples. Give me a slice of hot apple pie, an apple fritter, or a big stack of cinnamon-topped apple pancakes--and a fork--and I’m happy and content. This weekend I'll be making some homemade apple sauce to spoon over a batch of crisp latkes that I've had a hankering for lately. These go perfectly with a pot roast, or a roast chicken. Or, standing over the kitchen counter, if you simply can't wait until dinnertime.

CROCKPOT APPLESAUCE (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
10 large apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 to 1 c. sugar

Place all the ingredients into a crockpot, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Note: If you want to do this on the stove, just simmer, covered (stirring frequently), until the apples are tender.

LATKES (Potato Pankcakes)
1 pound russet potatoes
1 small onion
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
1/2 to 3/4 cup vegetable or olive oil

Peel potatoes and coarsely grate using a box grater. Grate the onion as well. Soak grated potatoes and onion in a bowl of cold water for a minute or two, then drain well.

Spread potato and onions out on a dry kitchen towel, roll up and twist, wringing out as much liquid as possible. Empty mixture into a bowl, mix in the egg, salt and pepper.

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a nonstick skillet over high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Working in batches of 4, spoon 2 tablespoons potato mixture per latke into the skillet, flattening into 3-inch rounds with a slotted spoon or fork. Reduce heat to moderate and cook until brown on one side (about 4-5 minutes), then flip latkes and cook until the other side is brown.

Carefully transfer to paper towels to drain and season with salt. Continue cooking batches of latkes, adding more oil as needed. To keep latkes warm, place them on a wire rack set in a baking pan in a 250 degree oven.

Makes about a dozen latkes

A Ghostly Gala: Old Fashioned Halloween Treats

2008-10-20T08:27:00.005-04:00

An apple a day keeps the ~~doctor~~ ghouls away. (PRINT RECIPE CARD)

Old Fashioned Caramel Apples
8 small apples
Nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil
2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Wash and dry the apples, then remove the stems. Insert a lollipop stick or twig into each. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and lightly coat with cooking spray or a bit of vegetable oil.

Place the sugar, maple and corn syrups, and cream in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Tilt + swirl the saucepan to distribute the mixture while it cooks, but do not stir. When the caramel mixture reaches 250 degrees F (firm ball stage) on a candy thermometer, remove it from the heat and stir in the butter.

Dip each apple into the caramel to coat, then carefully place them on the baking sheet to cool completely before eating. (Note: If you'd like, you can also dip your apples into crushed nuts, chopped chocolate or candies, too. Or, once the caramel is cooled, dip in, or drizzle with melted chocolate.)

Old Fashioned Candied Apples
8 small apples
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. red food coloring

Wash and dry the apples, then remove the stems. Insert a lollipop stick or twig into each. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and lightly coat with cooking spray or a bit of vegetable oil.

Place sugar, syrup and water in a heavy saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring mixture to a boil, without stirring, until it reaches 300 F on a candy thermometer, then remove from heat.

Mix in cinnamon and food coloring, dip each apple into the syrup to coat, then carefully place them on the baking sheet to cool completely before eating. (Note: If the syrup begins to to harden simply reheat it.)

Chocolate Popcorn Balls
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 stick butter
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 cups unsalted popped popcorn

Combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, cocoa and salt in a large pot, and bring to a boil over medium heat.Over medium heat, using a 4 quart pot, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, cocoa, and salt and bring to a boil. Add the popcorn., stirring, until it is well-coated. Remove from heat, allow to cool, then shape into balls. (Note: To make plain popcorn balls, simply omit the cocoa powder.)

A Ghostly Gala: Sugar Skulls

2008-10-10T19:33:00.007-04:00

These easy-to-make sugar skulls are a great way to keep kids entertained at the Ghostly Gala party. Simply head over to http://www.mexicansugarskull.com as they have everything you need to make these traditional Mexican Day of the Dead works of art, then make the skulls at least one day before the party so they have time to dry. The day of the party, prepare the royal icing, then have kids "paint" the skulls using pastry bags, or Ziploc bags with one end snipped off.

Note: Do not make these on a humid day!

Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls (Print Recipe + Instructions)
Skulls
Plastic skull molds
2 cups of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of meringue powder
2 teaspoons of water
Cardboard

Mix the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl, then add the water and mix with your hands until the sugar is completely moistened and feels like damp sand. The mixture should hold together when squeezed--if it doesn't, add a bit more water.

Next, scoop a bit of the sugar mixture into the mold, and pack it in firmly, the carefully flip it onto the cardboard so the sugar skull pops out (if it breaks, scoop it back into the bowl and start over). Continue making skulls until you've used up all of the sugar, then allow them to dry for 24 hours in a dry place.

Traditional Royal Icing
2/3 cup of water
1/2 cup meringue powder
2 pounds of powdered sugar
Concentrated food coloring

Blend the water, meringue powder and powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Scoop the icing into separate bowls and add a bit of food coloring to each one, and mix well. Scoop the icing into a pastry bag or Ziploc bag with the end snipped off, then begin decorating your skull. Note: Royal icing can be sealed and refrigerated until use.

Makes four small skulls

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

2008-10-10T08:04:00.000-04:00

Worm Pie
Another messy, but fun game for kids to play on Halloween.

You'll need:
Pie tins (1 for each player)
Whipped cream
Gummy Worms
Bandanna's (or strips of fabric for blindfolds)

Put the same amount of worms in each pie tin, then cover with whipped cream (you might want to allow one or two worms to poke out of the top for effect). When you're ready to play, blindfold the players, yell "go" then have them stick their faces into their pies, to try to remove as many worms as they can with their mouth in 30 seconds. The player with the most worms at the end of the game is the winner.

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

2008-10-07T14:44:00.005-04:00

Candy Corn Counting Contest
Count the candy corn in a large jar or bowl, but keep the number a secret. Take guesses as to how many pieces are in the container. The player that is closest to the actual number is the winner.

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

2008-10-07T14:29:00.008-04:00

Project Scarecrow
Kids love using their imaginations and being crafty, so why not organize a neighborhood scarecrow decorating contest? Simply set a date for the judging, then let them come up with whatever crazy, wacky ideas they can figure out. Award prizesto the three best scarecrows.
PS. I've found that adults love this just as much as kids, so feel free to open it up to grownups, too.

OR ...

Scarecrow Beat the Clock
Provide piles of leaves, hay, newspapers, old clothes, hats, wigs, pillowcases, string, magic markers, poles, sticks, brooms, pumpkin and other props. Divide players into groups then give them 15 minutes to create a unique scarecrow.

Award prizes for the scariest, funniest, or wackiest scarecrow.

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

2008-10-07T14:20:00.004-04:00

Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest
Forget everything your mother ever taught you regarding manners--it's all out the window at a Halloween Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest.

You'll need:

Pumpkin seeds (10 per participant)
2 pieces of string, rope or masking tape
Prizes

With your rope or tape, mark a start and finish line ten feet apart. Give each player their seeds and allow them to take turns trying to spit their seeds across the finish line. Hand out prizes to the winners.

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

2008-10-07T07:17:00.003-04:00

As far as I am concerned, Halloween is not just a day, but rather an entire month. October is about carving pumpkins, making costumes, sneaking candy, and having fun (winter's right around the corner, so let's face it, this is our last hurrah before we start hibernating). There are lots of fun activities to keep kids busy and amused throughout the month--whether you're planning a Ghostly Gala, or not.

Stay tuned all this week for...
Bobbing for Apples (in Slime!) Pumpkin Seed Spitting Contest Candy Corn Counting Contest Pumpkin Lawn Bowling Project Scarecrow Sugar Skulls Popcorn Balls, Caramel Apples + Other Yummy Treats Dried Apple Heads & lots more

The Ghostly Gala: Morbid Music + Spooky Sounds

2008-10-07T06:24:00.013-04:00

If you're looking to add a little spooky ambiance to your Halloween fête, look no further. I've compiled a list of my favorite morbid music, and the good news is, they're available on iTunes for just 99 cents a song. That's not very frightening at all.

Your Halloween Playlist
Bat out of Hell, Meatloaf
Black Magic Woman, Santana
Devil with the Blue Dress On, Mitch Ryder
Devil Woman, Cliff Richard
Disturbia, Rihanna
Don’t Fear the Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult
Evil Ways, Santana
Evil Woman, Electric Light Orchestra
Friend of Devil, Grateful Dead
Ghostbusters, Ray Parker, Jr.
Ghost Riders in the Sky, Outlaws (or Johnny Cash…equally cool)
I Put a Spell on You, Screaming Jay Hawkins
Little Devil, Neil Sedaka
Love Potion Number Nine, The Searchers
Monster Mash, Bobby "Boris" Pickett
People Are Strange, Echo + The Bunnymen
Pet Sematary, The Ramones
Psycho Killer, Talking Heads
Running with the Devil, Van Halen
Season of the Witch, Donovan
Somebody's Watching Me, Rockwell
Spooky, Atlanta Rhythm Section
Sympathy for the Devil, Rolling Stones
That Old Black Magic, Frank Sinatra
Thriller, Michael Jackson
This is Halloween (from Nightmare Before Christmas)
Werewolves of London, Warren Zevon
Witchcraft, Frank Sinatra
Witchy Woman, Eagles
Zombie Zoo, Tom Petty

Theme Songs
Addams Family
Bewitched
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Casper the Friendly Ghost
Dark Shadows
Friday, 13th
The Exorcist
Halloween
Jaws
The Omen
Outer Limits
Phantom of the Opera
Psycho
The Shining
Tales from the Crypt
Twilight Zone
X Files

and, ANY SONG from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, of course!

Upcoming Halloween TV Spot: A Ghostly Gala

2008-10-01T20:06:00.004-04:00

My very favorite holiday--Halloween--is right around the corner, and to celebrate, I'll be spending the next three weeks posting ideas for my upcoming spot on the News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show. This time around, I'll be offering crafts, party ideas and recipes for A Ghostly Gala, guaranteed to spook even the most unflappable Halloween revelers. Earlybird Nutmeggers can tune in on Sunday, October 19th at 7:23 am to watch me live; sleepyheads can tune in later that day to catch it online. And as always, all my crafts, recipes and ideas will be posted on my Crafty Suzanne web log.

Happy Hauntings!
Ghoulzanne

An Award for Summer!

2008-09-25T16:01:00.001-04:00

I'm happy to report that my book, Summer: A User's Guide, received an iParenting Media (A Disney Internet Group) Award for 2008! Break out the champagne + noisemakers! (well, maybe just the champagne...)

It's Not Over Till It's Over

2008-08-28T06:36:00.003-04:00

It's hard to believe that the unofficial "last weekend" of summer is upon us; I know I say this every year, but I honestly don't understand how summer flies by so quickly, while winter seems to drag on forever. There are just a few days left before we have to start stuffing our feet back into practical shoes, trading in our comfy cottons for scratchy wool, and so--in the spirit of making the most of every precious drop of summer--I've compiled a last minute list of 21 things to do before the calendar flips into fall. You of course won't get to them all, but the point is simply to have fun this weekend. Enjoy your Labor Day and I will see you back here in September with lots of new crafts, recipes and ideas for the brand new season.

21 things to do before September 1st
Eat cotton candy Go skinnydipping Run through a sprinkler Chase the Good Humor Truck Skip stones Camp out in the backyard Eat Key Lime Pie Go to a drive in movie (in your pajamas) Make pizza on the grill Learn to do a cartwheel once and for all Go see a live band and don't just stand there, but dance Pick wildflowers Stay up late and gaze at the stars (preferably in a hammock) Make a lobster roll (don't worry about the pricetag) Make fresh watermelon martini's Build a campfire and make smores (and tell ghost stories) Fry green tomatoes Have a water balloon fight Take a nap in a tire tube on a lake Make BBQ Chicken + Ribs (with homemade potato salad, too) Wear your flip flops until October

FRESH WATERMELON MARTINI (PRINT RECIPE)

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 cups diced watermelon
2 oz vodka
Juice of 1/2 lime
Ice
Mint leaves, slice of lime, or small wedge of watermelon (optional)

Make a simple syrup by bringing the water and sugar to a boil. Allow it to cool. (Leftover syrup can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator.)

Place the watermelon in a food processor or blender, and pulse until smooth, then press through a fine sieve, reserving the juice.

Place the vodka, lime juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup, and 2-3 ounces of watermelon juice (to taste) into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with mint, lime or a wedge of watermelon if desired.

Makes 1 cocktail.

KEY LIME PIE (PRINT RECIPE)
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide

14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup key lime juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel
9-inch graham cracker pie shell (you can make your own or purchase one pre-made)
Whipped cream (optional)
Mint Leaves (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, combine the milk, egg yolks, lime juice, and lime peel and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into the pie shell and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow pie to stand for approximately 10 minutes, then refrigerate.

Enjoy plain or garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of mint.

Love Coupons (totally not summer-related, I know)

2008-08-05T20:18:00.001-04:00

It's been bothering me for sometime that I created coupons for moms, dads and best friends, but hadn't gotten around to tackling significant others. So, with some free time on my hands this evening, I finally came up with a coupon booklet that let's your special someone know it doesn't have to be Valentine's Day to profess your mad, mad love. Simply print them out, cut along the lines, and staple one side, and you are ready to go.
Print them out now!

Summer Sleepyheads Rejoice

2008-07-19T12:13:00.007-04:00

Missed Old Fashioned Summer Fun for Kids? Watch it Now!
If you missed me this morning at 7:23 on the Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show (I don't blame you--if I had a choice, I'd be sleeping in at that hour, too), you can watch my segment online now!

PS. A big thank you to all my friends at WTNH for your support this past year! You guys are truly great.

SUMMER INSPIRED: Root Beer Floats

2008-07-16T21:55:00.007-04:00

The root beer float - also called a Black Cow – is believed to have been invented by Frank J. Wisner of Cripple Creek in August of 1893. Gazing out at the full moon illuminating the snow on Cow Mountain, he was inspired to “float” a scoop of vanilla ice cream into his mug of root beer. It was an instant hit. Later in life, he remarked that if he had a nickel for every time someone ordered a Black Cow, he would have been a very rich man.

ROOT BEER FLOATS (or, Black Cows)
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
6 ounces root beer soda

Fill a tall glass halfway with soda. Add one scoop of ice cream to the glass, and then fill the glass with more root beer. Eat your float by scooping the ice cream and root beer together with your spoon, then sip the delicious root beer with your straw.
Makes 1 serving

SUMMER INSPIRED: 50 things for your kids to do before they go back to school

2008-07-16T19:18:00.009-04:00

Have a water balloon fight
Set up a lemonade stand
Catch fireflies
Plant sunflowers
Have a watermelon seed spitting contest
Camp out in the backyard (+ tell scary ghost stories)
Make smores
Build a secret fort
Learn to skip stones
Have a potato sack race
Tie dye tee shirts
Send a message in a bottle
Make rootbeer floats
Play hopscotch
Learn to whistle on a blade of grass
Make tin can stilts
Run like crazy through a sprinkler
Make frozen chocolate covered bananas
Play Red Light, Green Light
Help your parents hang a tire swing in the backyard
Watch the Perseid meteor shower (best between August 8th - 14th)
Have a hula hoop contest
Build a gigantic sandcastle
Hold an egg-throwing contest
Go clamming at low tide
Build a teepee
Learn how to track the tides
Have a water limbo contest
Play mini golf
Press flowers
Have a three-legged race
Learn to play dominoes
Make ice cream sandwiches (with chocolate chip cookies + softened ice cream)
Have a backyard talent contest
Have a wheel-barrow race
Play Marco Polo
Dive for pennies
Enter a pie eating contest
Eat cotton candy
Play Kick Ball
Make sun tea
Learn to identify common clouds
Have a scavenger hunt
Play Charades on a rainy day
Go fishing
Play stickball
Paint a mural on an old sheet
Play King of the Hill
Eat corndogs at a county fair
Make Dirt Cake

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Firefly Jars

2008-07-16T12:45:00.006-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

From my book, Summer: A User's Guide
I always know that summer is in full swing when I see flickering fireflies dotting the lawn come July. Even now, well into adulthood, they make me feel like magic is possible. And, just as we are a bit more inclined toward romance in the summertime (skinny dipping anyone?!), fireflies are similarly inclined – those flickering lights are a key part of a mating ritual that brings them together on sultry summer nights. The male, it seems, is “flashier” than the female. He cruises the night sky, flashing his light to advertise not only that he’s available, but what species he is as well (some signal a double flash every three seconds, others do a short flash that repeats in ten second intervals). Females flash as well, but only once – and from a perch – signaling the male to come over and pay a visit. Once the male finds the female, she checks him out to make sure he’s the guy for her, and if he passes the test, she flashes again. Once they mate, she will lay her eggs the next day. Two to four weeks later, the next generation arrives.

If you are lucky enough to live in a region in which "lightning bugs" thrive, stay up late one evening with your kids (or better yet, without), and capture some of their magic in a jar.

FIREFLY JAR
Materials:
1 clean large jar with lid (a mayonnaise jar is perfect!)
1 awl or nail
Hammer

With awl & hammer (or hammer and nail), punch 5 or 6 holes in your jar lid.

Race around yard, catching fireflies in your jar. When you capture a few, screw the lid back on and be mesmerized by their twinkling glow.

Release fireflies after 15 or so minutes.

Fireflies are in fact, not flies at all, but beetles from the family, Lampyridae, from the Greek word “to shine.”

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Tin Can Stilts

2008-07-15T16:00:00.003-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

TIN CAN STILTS
I decorated these stilts with foam stickers from my local craft store.

Materials:
2 large juice cans or coffee cans
2 yards of clothesline or cotton rope
Swivel can opener
Triangle can opener

With the swivel can opener, remove the top of the cans, then use the triangle can opener to punch two holes on opposite sides of the bottom of the can. Turn the can upside down so the open end is on the floor.

Cut two lengths of clothesline or rope, each about a yard long. Poke the ends of the rope into each of the punched holes, tying each into a knot to secure the rope. If necessary, adjust the length of the loops to fit your height.

Place your feet on the cans, grab hold of the ropes, and carefully stand up.

Practice walking on your new stilts.

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Homemade Bubbles

2008-07-13T11:09:00.005-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

Just put your lips together...and blow.

HOMEMADE BUBBLES (PRINT RECIPE)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup dishwashing liquid
1 Tbs. cooking oil

Simply mix ingredients together and use.

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Play Dough

2008-07-13T05:43:00.008-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH (PRINT RECIPE)
3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water
A few drops of food coloring

Mix all ingredients in a big bowl, or separate to make different colored dough. Store dough in airtight containers.

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Rainsticks

2008-07-13T04:13:00.002-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

These crafty rainsticks are not only easy to make, but they're super affordable, too. You can use old wrapping paper tubes, or head to your local stationery store for inexpensive mailing tubes. Then have your kids use construction paper, old scraps of wrapping paper, foam stickers, glitter, paint, pom poms scissors or even bits of yard and fabric to customize their tube. Once they're done, pour some beans into each tube, seal the ends, and start shaking.

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Goop!

2008-07-12T20:11:00.000-04:00

Homemade Goop
Messy, gooey and totally gross! Use outdoors as Goop contains food coloring that can stain rugs and furniture. Oh, and ever eat Goop!

Classic Goop
Materials:
½ cup white glue (like Elmer’s)
1 cup water
Food coloring
1 teaspoon Borax

In a small bowl, combine the glue and ½ cup water, then add a few drops of food coloring.
In another small bowl, combine the Borax and 1/2 cup of water. Finally, combine the glue mixture with the Borax mixture and knead with your hands until the goop becomes very thick. Store in an airtight container.

Quick + Easy Goop
Materials:
1 Box Corn Starch
1 3/4 + cups water
Food coloring

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. If Goop is too dry, add a bit more water. Store in an airtight container.

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Balloon Balls

2008-07-12T05:46:00.003-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

A big shout out to the Crafty Crow for inspiring this squishy backyard craft!

BALLOON BALLS
2 balloons per ball
Scissors
Small Funnel
Chopstick or pencil
Flour

Slide the funnel into the balloon, then push as much flour into the balloon as possible using your chopstick. The more flour you can stuff in there, the better!

When you're done, tie a knot, making sure there is no flour in the neck of the balloon, then push the knot into the body of the balloon.

Cut the neck off of another balloon, slide it over the flour-filled balloon so it covers the knot, and your squishy balloon ball is done.

PS. Try filling them with rice or small beans for different textures.

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Tie Dyed Tee's

2008-07-08T17:48:00.002-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

Tie Dyed Tee's
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide

All-cotton white fabric item
1 or more colors of fabric dye
Rubber gloves
Rubber bands
Newspapers or plastic sheeting to protect your work area
Several large plastic buckets or containers for the dye bath
Long handled spoon to mix dye bath
Scissors
An old towel
Paper towels

Note: Always wear rubber gloves when preparing or using dye.

“DIP DYE” PATTERN
From top to bottom, bind your item into three sections.

Create three dye baths with different colors. For each color, dissolve ½ bottle of dye in 2 gallons of very hot water. Always wear your rubber gloves when working with the dye.

Dip the lowest section of the fabric into the dye right up to the rubber band. Hold it there for five to 20 minutes, stirring gently from time to time. Don’t worry if a bit of dye seeps past the rubber band; that’s all part of the tie dye look.

Remove the item from the bath, and rinse the dyed portion thoroughly under cold running water. Don’t remove any of the rubber bands just yet.

Dip the top part of the fabric into the dye right up to the rubber band. Hold it there for five to 20 minutes, stirring gently from time to time. As always, don’t worry if a bit of dye seeps past the rubber band.

Remove the fabric from the bath, and rinse the lower dyed portion thoroughly under cold running water. Remember to not remove any of the rubber bands just yet.

Now, fold the item in half right at the middle section between the two sets of rubber bands. Dip the fabric into the third dye bath right up to both sets of rubber bands. Hold it there for five to 20 minutes, stirring gently from time to time. Remove the shirt from the dye bath and rinse thoroughly. Remove the rubber bands, wash the shirt in a mild detergent, rinse again, and hang to dry.

SUNBURST PATTERN
If you are making a tee shirt, pull up a layer from the center and secure tightly at the base with a rubber band. For other fabrics, decide where you would like the sunbursts to be, then secure at the base with a rubber band.

Pull further - leaving about one half to one inch of space - and secure with a second rubber band.

Working forward, pull the fabric up a few inches further, and secure with a third rubber band.

Create two dye baths. Dissolve ½ bottle of dye in 2 gallons of very hot water for each color to be used. Always wear your rubber gloves when working with the dye.

Dip the center section of the tee shirt or fabric right up to the first rubber band. Hold it there for five to 20 minutes, stirring gently from time to time. Don’t worry if a bit of dye seeps past the rubber band; that will create an interesting look.

Remove the fabric from the bath, and rinse the dyed portion thoroughly under cold running water. Don’t remove any of the rubber bands just yet.

Now hold the fabric by the center section you just dyed, and dip the other side of the fabric into the second color bath right up to the third rubber band. Hold it there for five to 20 minutes, stirring gently. Again, don’t worry if some of the dye seeps past the rubber band.

Remove and rinse thoroughly and carefully. Remove the rubber bands, wash in a mild detergent, rinse again, and hang to dry.

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Tire Swing

2008-07-08T05:48:00.013-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

Old Fashioned Backyard Tire Swing
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide

Materials:
Rope
A stout tree branch about 12 to 16 feet overhead
Clean, old tire
Power drill or awl and hammer
A piece of rubber hose, approximately the width of your branch (optional; but it will protect both the branch and the rope from wear and tear)

To determine the length of rope needed, measure from the tree branch to the point you want the tire to hang, then add approximately ten feet for various loops and knots. (Note: The farther the swing is from the trunk the larger the supporting branch should be.)

Using a Figure 8 Knot, create a loop in the rope about 5 to 8 inches in diameter at one end of the rope. Secure the Figure 8 with a Double Stopper Knot. Double and triple-check that this knot is secure.

Find a piece of hose with an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the rope, then slip the rope through the hose, and slide it all the way up to the loop. Throw the loop end of the rope over the selected branch. You may need to attach a guide weight to the rope for make for an easier throw – but exercise extreme caution when doing so.

Once you have both ends of the rope in your hands, slip the loose end of the rope through the loop in the opposite end. Pull on loose end of the rope and draw the loop up to the top, securing the rope to branch.

Using a power drill or an awl and hammer, drill or poke several holes through the bottom of the tire. (The holes will keep rainwater from collecting in the tire.)

Decide the approximate height you want the tire to hang, then wrap the rope twice around the tire around and use a Figure Eight Knot secured with a Double Stopper Knot to secure the rope at the tire end. You may need to adjust the swing height after a few weeks, as the rope may stretch out from use.

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

2008-07-08T05:45:00.009-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk (DOWNLOAD PDF)
It’s easy to make your own sidewalk chalk at home – try splitting this recipe into batches and make each a different color.

Materials:
2 cups water
2 cups plaster of Paris
2 tablespoons tempera paint
Toilet paper tubes (one side taped closed)
Sheet of cardboard or cookie sheet

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl using a rubber spatula or large wooden spoon. Allow mixture to stand for 5 minutes.

Place toilet paper tubes on sheet of cardboard or baking sheet, open sides facing up, then carefully pour chalk mixture into the holders. If there’s any mixture left over, discard it in the trash – not down the drain!

When chalk is just about dry, peel off holders and allow your chalk to dry thoroughly (approximately 1-1/12 hours).

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Get Wet Games

2008-07-08T05:41:00.000-04:00

This is for my upcoming TV spot on News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show, Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am

Get Wet Games (DOWNLOAD PDF)
We all have our own favorite backyard memories. Mine include playing wiffle ball and arguing over who would retrieve the occasional stray ball from our cranky neighbor’s lawn; organizing crazy talent shows with the neighborhood kids; building secret forts with my brothers, and of course, running under the sprinkler. Keep that old-fashioned spirit alive in your own backyard this summer with these wet and wacky games for your kids to play.

WATER LIMBO
To get started, have the players for a single line. Have an adult be in charge of the hose, setting the stream high at first, then lowering it slightly after each round. Kids limbo under the spray, and those who touch the stream and get wet are out of the game; the one who stays the driest the longest is the winner.

SPRINKLER "FREEZE"
Set up a sprinkler in the backyard, then have players dance, hop around and strike poses under the spray. Players must dance until the sprinkler is turned off, at which point they must "freeze". If a player doesn't freeze without moving, they are out of the game.

JUMP ROPE SPLASH
This game needs at least four players.

You'll need:
A long (double) jump rope or 14-foot piece of cotton clothesline
Large plastic tumblers, filled to the brim with water

Two players begin turning the jump rope. Players must jump into the turning rope, holding a cup of water and complete three consecutive skips before jumping out. Once all the players have finished jumping, the player with the most water left wins.

WATER BALLOON TOSS
You'll need:
Balloons

Fill up water balloons. Divide players into pairs and have them stand a few feet apart from each other. Give each pair a water balloon.

Blow a whistle or yell “Go!” to start the game. Players with a balloon tosses it to their teammate, who tries to catch it without it breaking. After each successful catch, all pairs of players move a step apart for the next toss. If a water balloon falls and breaks, that pair is out. The last pair standing with their water balloon intact wins the game.

SPONGE PASS
You'll need:
Large sponges
Buckets (or large containers, like Tupperware) of water
Empty buckets (or large containers, like Tupperware)

Divide players into teams and have each team form a line with teamates standing about an arms length away from each other. Place a large container of water at the end of each line, then place a sponge in each container. On the opposite end of each line, place an empty bucket. Blow a whistle or yell “Go!” to start the game. The players closest to the buckets of water, should grab the sponge and toss it to their closest teamate, who then tosses it to the next teammate, and so on, until it reaches the end. The last person in line squeezes the sponge out into the empty bucket, then runs to the beginning of the line, dips the sponge in the water, and starts passing it again. After every player has taken a turn, the team with the most water in their bucket wins. (Note: If a team drops their sponge, the sponge has to start back at the beginning of the line).

ICY TOES RELAY RACE
You'll need:
Kid’s wading pool
Ice cubes

Decide how long the game should be; usually 1-2 minutes is about the right amount of time. Have players sit on the ground around the wading pool with their feet in the water. When players are ready, throw ice cubes into the pool and yell, “Go!” Using only their feet, players must remove the ice cubes from the pool and place them on the ground. The player who gets the most cubes in the designated time is the winner.

Book Signing this Saturday, July 12th

2008-07-07T21:16:00.003-04:00

I'll be signing copies of my book, Summer: A User's Guide at the Pleasantville Music Festival this weekend, in lovely Pleasantville, NY. If you're around for the festivities, stop by the very friendly Marmalade booth to say hello!

-Suzanne

SUMMER INSPIRED: A Butterfly Garden

2008-07-07T12:17:00.010-04:00

A butterfly goes wherever it pleases, and pleases wherever it goes.

When I moved into my home a few years ago, one of the first things I did was start planting gardens. Of course, being both a practical and adventuresome cook, the first one I set about building was my herb and vegetable garden. But, I’m a nature lover at heart, so the second garden was all about frivolity; an irresistably inviting oasis for butterflies.

There are over 20,000 butterfly species in the world, and 700 in our North American backyards and woods. Butterflies are fairly easy to entice into your lair; a few of their favorite plants in a sunny spot, and some water, and they’re happy to flutter by each and every day.

Attracting butterflies to your garden...

Butterflies love sunlight, so plant your garden in the sunniest spot in your yard.
Our fluttering friends feed on nectar, so provide it to them through plants, or a simple butterfly feeder.
A shallow saucer or birdbath is a welcome treat for thirsty butterflies.
Butterflies need to raise their body temperatures in the morning in order to fly. Several large flat rocks make a perfect perching spot for them to warm their bodies.
Insecticides are a big no-no. Yes, they kill garden pests, but they also eliminate butterflies.
To watch butterflies, invest in a good pair of binoculars. Look for lenses that zoom in to small objects, preferably as close as six feet. And, since butterflies tend to be small, purchase a binocular that magnifies from 6x to 8x.

To make a butterfly feeder

You'll need:
Small glass jar with lid (a jelly jar or baby food jar work well)
Silk flowers
Strong adhesive glue or glue gun
Hammer and awl
Cotton
Length of string or twine
Tape
Sugar
Water

Make the nectar by combining one part sugar and nine parts water.

Glue silk flowers onto the outside of the jar and to the lid to attract butterflies.

Poke a small hole in the lid of the jar with an awl and hammer. Fill the jar with butterfly nectar, then screw the lid tightly onto the jar and poke a small piece of cotton into the hole.

Invert the jar, tape the length of string to the bottom, and hang it in a sunny corner of your garden.

SUMMER INSPIRED: Summer Shadowboxes

2008-07-02T10:01:00.004-04:00

Inexpensive shadowbox + trusty glue gun + beach treasures = a happy reminder of your summer vacation (even when there's three feet of snow on the ground).

PS. Yes, those are indeed sharks teeth. And yes, I did actually find them on the beach.

SUMMER INSPIRED: Seashell-Embellished Birdhouses

2008-06-30T10:58:00.004-04:00

Admittedly, I am somewhat obsessed with seashells; in my ever-expanding craft closet, I have roughly 5,000 of them in different shapes, colors and sizes, neatly labeled and packed away, just waiting for some clever summer-inspired craft project, like these seashell-embellished birdhouses. The examples above all use plain pine birdhouses from Michaels Crafts (go to: http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=cp0209&channelId=), which I simply glued seashells onto using my trusty glue gun. If you plan on using your birdhouse outdoors, make sure you coat it with clear varnish to protect it from the elements before hanging.

SUMMER INSPIRED: Lobster Roll

2008-06-30T10:35:00.006-04:00

Whether you say “lobster” or “lobstah”, there’s no denying that the lobster roll is one of the favorite foods of coastal New England. I ate my first lobster roll at the famous Red’s Eats in Wiscasset, Maine, then immediately turned around and ordered another; I was instantly hooked. Since that wonderful first taste, not a summer has passed by without my indulging in a couple of rolls, washed down with a cold beer.

The recipe for this Down East delight could not be simpler; mix supremely fresh lobster meat with a bit of mayonnaise, then stuff the mixture into a warm, buttery, split-top bun, and garnish with a few leaves of tender butter lettuce. To this day amazes me that something so easy to make, can be so astonishingly delicious.

DOWN EAST LOBSTER ROLL (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide

8 ounces cooked lobster meat, torn or cut into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1-tablespoon butter, room temperature
2 hot dog rolls (preferably Freihofer's New England-style top split rolls)
2-4 leaves of butter (Boston) lettuce

Combine lobster and mayonnaise in medium bowl, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Butter outside surfaces of hot dog rolls.

Heat skillet over medium-high heat and place rolls, buttered side down, in pan; cook until browned slightly (appx 2 minutes per side).

Fill toasted rolls with lettuce leaves, then stuff with lobster.

Makes 2 rolls.

SUMMER INSPIRED: Jump Rope Rhymes

2008-06-28T15:02:00.004-04:00

Of course you remember Miss Mary Mack, I Eat My Peas with Honey + Strawberry Shortcake; how could you possibly forget? We grew up skipping rope to old-fashioned rhymes that have been passed down from generation to generation in schoolyards, playgrounds and backyards across America. Lets make sure we preserve that tradition by passing these rhymes on to the next generation. I've made it easy by creating a printable page...DOWNLOAD PDF

My Grandmother's Cheesecake

2008-06-26T11:59:00.003-04:00

Sorry I've disappeared; I've been posting a series of tributes to my grandmother, Mary, who passed away on Tuesday at the just getting started age of 97, to my Suzanne Brown web journal. On that site I shared with my readers my Grams' recipe for what I consider to be The Perfect Cheesecake (I'm partial, of course), and I thought, since Crafty Suzanne readers seem to have a bit of a collective sweet tooth, I'd share it here as well.

Enjoy!

Mary's Cheesecake (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Combine 3/4 cup of graham cracker crumbs + 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Press crumb mixture into bottom of springform cake pan.

Beat together 3 large packages of cream cheese, 5 eggs, 1 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 1 hour.

Remove cake from oven.

Mix together 1 pint sour cream, scant 1/2 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon vanilla. Remove cake from oven and pour mixture over the top. Return cake to oven and bake at 475 degrees for 5 minutes. Allow cake to cool, then refrigerate before serving.

HAPPY SUMMER!

2008-06-20T12:42:00.006-04:00

“Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Well, here it is, the first day of summer. Soon we will be seeing Back to School displays in the stores, so my advice to you on this, the longest day of the year, is to head outside tonight, build yourself a crackling campfire, toast some marshmallows for yummy, gooey s'mores, and perhaps belt out a few old-fashioned campfire songs under a starry night sky before heading off to bed in the wee hours, smelling like smoke, and wishing that summer could last forever.

CLASSIC CAMPFIRE S'MORES (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
We have the Girl Scouts to thank for this messy treat. The term s’more stands for ‘gimme some more’.

1 large marshmallow
1 graham cracker, broken in half
1-2 squares of a chocolate candy bar

Toast a marshmallow until hot and gooey, then place on 1 half of a graham cracker and top with 1-2 squares of chocolate. Top with a second graham cracker to make a sandwich.

HOME ON THE RANGE
Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Chorus
Home, home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Where the air is so pure, and the zephyrs so free,
The breezes so balmy and light,
That I would not exchange my home on the range,
For all of the cities so bright.

The Red man was pressed from this part of the west,
He's likely no more to return,
To the banks of the Red River where seldom if ever
Their flickering campfires burn.

How often at night when the heavens are bright,
With the light from the glittering stars,
Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed,
If their glory exceeds that of ours.

Oh, I love these wild flowers in this dear land of ours,
The curlew I love to hear cry,
And I love the white rocks and the antelope flocks,
That graze on the mountain slopes high.

Oh give me a land where the bright diamond sand,
Flows leisurely down in the stream;
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along,
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.

Then I would not exchange my home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

SUMMER INSPIRED: Margarita's + Guacamole

2008-06-17T16:35:00.007-04:00

Maybe it's the tropical weather we've been having these past few weeks, or maybe I'm simply bored, bored, bored to death with Pinot Grigio + Sauvignon Blanc, but lately I've had a mean hankering for a big, salt-rimmed margarita, served straight up, with side of warm tortilla chips, and a molcajete filled with creamy guacamole just waiting to be dug into. I don't know about you blogoholics out there, but few things give me more pleasure than eating good, simple, handcrafted foods; make me a BLT with toasted white bread, real mayo, and ripe, red tomatoes (yes, I'm still eating tomatoes; salmonella, shmalmonella) and I'm the happiest girl in the world, pass me a bowl of fresh pasta with butter and grated Parmesan cheese and I will be your friend for life, and I can't even begin to to tell you what I will do for a crispy, thin-crust New Haven-style clam pizza, cooked outside on the grill. So, when I tell you that I've been itching for a couple of margarita's and a belly full of guacamole, I guess you know by now that it can't just be any old margarita, or ho-hum guacamole that passes by these taste buds, and down into this gullet of mine. Nope, I can't settle, and I won't let you settle either, dear reader; there's no time for bland guacamole or sour margarita's in our world.

With the longest day of the year just a few days away (yes, the days will be getting shorter after the 21st) I can think of no better time than right this second, to drop everything you're doing (unless you are holding an infant, carrying a vat of nitroglycerin, storing a priceless Ming vase, or juggling knives), to start squeezing limes, mashing avocado's, and kicking back with some good friends for an impromptu mid-week summertime happy hour.

I'm off to take my own advice...

TRADITIONAL MARGARITA (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide

This recipe can easily be modified if you prefer a fruity, frozen Margarita. Simply add a handful of strawberries, some sliced mango, a splash of peach nectar – or whatever kind of summery fruit or fruit juice you have handy – and blend with ice.

1 1/2 ounces tequila
1-ounce Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec
1-ounce lemon juice
1-ounce lime juice
Kosher salt (optional)
Sliced limes (optional)

If you prefer your margarita with salt, pour salt onto small dish, moisten rim of chilled cocktail glass with sliced lime, and dip into salt. For a straight-up cocktail, add all ingredients and cracked ice to a cocktail shaker, shake well, then strain into a margarita glass. Garnish with a slice of lime. Makes 1 cocktail.

CANTINA GUACAMOLE (PRINT RECIPE CARD)
From my book, Summer: A User's Guide

If you’d like, you can add some minced jalapeños to this recipe to spice it up, or some chopped cilantro for a bit of South of the Border flavor.

2 plum tomatoes
2 firm-ripe California avocados
2 tablespoons minced red onion
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt and pepper, to taste

Quarter tomatoes, remove seeds and chop. Halve and pit avocados, scoop flesh into a bowl and mash (you can use your hands, a masher or a mortar and pestle). Stir in remaining ingredients.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Makes 2 cups.

SUMMER INSPIRED: Seashell Votive Candles

2008-06-12T12:55:00.006-04:00

These seashore-inspired votive candles can be made in under an hour, and when packaged in a little wooden box, or cellophane tied with raffia, make a great summertime hostess gift. From my book, Summer: A User's Guide.

SEASHELL VOTIVE CANDLES
Block of paraffin
Wicks with attached metal base
Small pieces of leftover colored candles or crayons
Double boiler
Measuring cup
Newspaper
Assorted shells (cleaned and dried)

Cover your work area with newspaper. Break paraffin into chunks with a knife and place into the top of a double boiler. If you are making colored candles, add bits of wax from old candles or crayons; keep in mind that the final shade will be a shade or two darker when your candle dries. Place the double boiler over medium heat, bringing the water in the bottom to a simmer. When wax is melted, carefully pour into measuring cup. Insert a wick into the center of each shell, and carefully pour wax in. Allow your candles to cool for at least 30 minutes, then trim wicks to ½ inch.

SUMMER INSPIRED: Watermelon Granita

2008-06-08T12:39:00.005-04:00

It's currently 96 degrees in New York, with a real feel temperature of 104. Needless to say, there is no cooking or crafting going on at Casa Brown today; I am simply sitting as still as possible, by the pool, with my trusty laptop, Dar Williams on my ipod, and a big dish of watermelon granita to keep me cool. This recipe is from my book, Summer: A User's Guide, and it's one of my favorite summertime desserts. To make your life easier, I've create a handy recipe card as well to print out and save.

WATERMELON GRANITA (Print Recipe Card)
1/2 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
Juice from 2 limes
6 cup cubed watermelon

Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Remove the seeds from the watermelon and purée chunks in a blender or food processor, saving both the juice and the pulp. Combine the syrup mixture, the lime juice and the watermelon purée and stir together. Place the mixture in a shallow container and freeze for 2 to 3 hours, stirring the mixture and fluffing it with a fork every hour. Serve the Granita just before it freezes completely. Makes 6 servings

2 New Garden Cards - Tarragon + Cilantro

2008-06-07T11:41:00.004-04:00

The Garden Cards from my Mother's Day spot were so popular, I created two more for Tarragon + Cilantro. Download them today for growing tips, plus the recipes for homemade tarragon mayonnaise (delicious on a summer sandwich) and salsa fresca (fresh salsa). Happy growing + cooking!

Love,
Suzanne

SUMMER INSPIRED: Keepsake Jars

2008-06-07T10:08:00.004-04:00

Yay! My favorite season has finally arrived! For all of you Summerologists out there who can't get enough of a good thing, I'll be posting lots of summer-inspired crafts and recipes throughout the next few months, starting with these sweet keepsake jars made from recycled jars and a handful of vacation beach treasures. Just grab your trusty glue gun, and start gluing seashells, beach glass, starfish, sand dollars, small pebbles, or pieces of twine to the lid of a jar, and, voila!...adorable keepsake jars for storing your favorite memories.

Dad Coupons for Father's Day

2008-06-05T08:10:00.008-04:00

Don't give Dad yet another necktie this June 15th; instead, print out my Dad Coupons to be used for things he really wants, like a clean car, the remote control, a really good snack, a big hug, and a fattening breakfast. Simply print out the pages, trim along the dotted lines, staple into a booklet, and you have a great gift for Father's Day and every day.

New TV Spot: Summer Fun for Kids - July 19th

2008-06-02T19:56:00.008-04:00

I'm very excited today because I just signed on to do a special kids SUMMER FUN spot on July 19th on the News Channel 8 (WTNH) Good Morning Connecticut Weekend show. As most of you who watch me regularly know (or read my book, Summer: A User's Guide), Summer is very near and dear to my heart--as are kids (I'm a big one myself!)--so this is going to be a great show that I am really looking forward to working on. By now, you should know the drill; earlybird Nutmeggers can tune in on Saturday, July 19th at 7:23 am to watch me live; sleepyheads can tune in later that day to catch it online. And as always, all my crafts, recipes and ideas will be posted on my Crafty Suzanne web log.

New! Best Friend Coupons

2008-05-22T18:08:00.007-04:00

My friends have been doing an awful lot for me lately, which got me thinking about ways I could thank them for all their support, generosity and love. The result? A little BFF booklet you can print out that is filled with coupons they can use year round. What friend wouldn't love Something Chocolate, An Honest Opinion, A Home Cooked Meal, A Night at the Movies, or a Sympathetic Ear? I'm giving one to all my friends, with a big hug, and a sincere thank you.

New...Mom Coupons!

2008-05-21T06:58:00.003-04:00

The Mother's Day Mom Coupons were such a hit, I created a new booklet for the rest of the year. Print 'em out, and show your mom you love her not just on Mother's Day, but every day.

CRAFTY SUZANNE

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: FRIGHT ICE

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: BRAAIIIINNNN CAKES

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: MAD SCIENTIST COSTUME

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: SKULL SERVING DISH

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: CREEPY JELL-O SHOTS

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: 'STITCHES' TABLE CLOTH

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB: CREEPY LABELS

SECRETS FROM A MAD LAB: BLOODY CANDLES

SECRETS FROM A MAD LAB: SETTING THE MOOD

SECRETS FROM THE MAD LAB...SATURDAY, OCT. 29th

Holiday Entertaining: Wintry Wine Charms

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Quick WIne Wrappers

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Salvaged Wool Jewelry

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Sweater-Wrapped Vases

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Christmas Stockings

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Holiday Wreaths

No Sweat Holiday Gifts: Toasty Candle Holders

Upcycled Holiday Gifts

Zombie Party: My Halloween Zombie Spot

Zombie Party: My Costume (Miss Zombie 2010)

Zombie Party: Bloody Limb Wine Charms

Zombie Party: GingerZombies

Zombie Party: Playlist for the Undead

Zombie Party: A Zombie's Favorite Cocktails

Zombie Party: Blood-Stained Curtains

Zombie Party: Zombification Photos

Zombie Party: Braiiiiinnnnnn Cakes

Zombie Party: Braiiiiinnnnnn Pops

Zombie Party: Wiggly, Jiggly Braiiiinnnns

Zombie Party: Zombieee Fingerrrrs

Suzanne Brown is Back + Undead

It's a good day to make pesto

Sweet idea!

Thank you BH&G

Quick Pickled Veggies

15 Easy Summer Appetizers

Happy National Artichoke Day.

Homemade for Mom: BEACH GLASS CHARMS

Homemade for Mom: STACKED PENDANTS

Homemade for Mom: BUTTON JEWELRY

Homemade for Mom: FELT BEAD JEWELRY

Homemade for Mom: LEATHER CUFF BRACELETS

Joy + Clotheslines

New TV Spot! HOMEMADE FOR MOM - May 9th

Winter, Summer...Whatever.

Love Coupons

Soak.

Chapped Lips?

More Snow.

If you could use a Cosmo as much as I can today....

Politically Correct People Made of Snow

Snow-B-Q

Play in the Snow!

Classic Hot Toddy

Pinecone Firestarters

Can't eat him? Then save him!

Apples, Apples, Everywhere

A Ghostly Gala: Old Fashioned Halloween Treats

A Ghostly Gala: Sugar Skulls

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

Scarecrow Beat the ClockProvide piles of leaves, hay, newspapers, old clothes, hats, wigs, pillowcases, string, magic markers, poles, sticks, brooms, pumpkin and other props. Divide players into groups then give them 15 minutes to create a unique scarecrow.

Award prizes for the scariest, funniest, or wackiest scarecrow.

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

A Ghostly Gala: Fun + Games for Kids

The Ghostly Gala: Morbid Music + Spooky Sounds

Upcoming Halloween TV Spot: A Ghostly Gala

An Award for Summer!

It's Not Over Till It's Over

Love Coupons (totally not summer-related, I know)

Summer Sleepyheads Rejoice

SUMMER INSPIRED: Root Beer Floats

SUMMER INSPIRED: 50 things for your kids to do before they go back to school

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Firefly Jars

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Tin Can Stilts

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Homemade Bubbles

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Play Dough

OLD FASHIONED SUMMER FUN: Rainsticks

Scarecrow Beat the Clock
Provide piles of leaves, hay, newspapers, old clothes, hats, wigs, pillowcases, string, magic markers, poles, sticks, brooms, pumpkin and other props. Divide players into groups then give them 15 minutes to create a unique scarecrow.