Mealtime Memories
Nothing reminds me more of my Grandma Bevan than this dessert. As a child I would scrape off all of the blueberries onto the side of my plate and funny thing, I still scrape them off before I take a bite. I love all the flavor burst in such simple dessert. This was a regular treat at grandmas, probably because it is so easy to make. Making it for my family brought back so many great memories.
I would have never named these fruit swords until I had a little boy who turns everything into a sword; sticks, straws, wooden spoons. We have even been known to sword fight with blades of grass. I was a little worried about the sword fetish, until I started watching other boys my sons age doing the exact same thing. So when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade!
Ingredients
Instructions
Fruit swords have been a lifesaver in our home. Sometimes I can’t get my son to eat anything at all, but put some food on a sword and suddenly it disappears (IN HIS MOUTH!) I love fruit swords because I can guarantee an entire serving of fruit in one sitting. I don’t have to repeat or reintroduce them at another meal or worry that today was a fruitless day. Fruit swords have made eating healthy a delight.
You can do them with any fruit or any way you’d like too. I’ve seen and done some that resemble the rainbow- I don’t typically have a rainbow colored selection of fruit every time I need to make swords. Sometimes it’s full of watermelon and other times it has grapes and cantaloupe. Needless to say, the type of fruit has never affected the success rate of it’s consumption. I never have empty swords.
In fact, the last time I made them I was so excited to save some for breakfast the next day, only to find that my husband had eaten the entire plate of them. This treat is not just for kids!
I found my kabob sticks by the spices/utensil isle in the grocery store and there were large and extra large sizes. SAFETY WARNING: the larger sticks have sharper points and may be used as an actual weapon. My son doesn’t even like to play with the sticks after he’s done eating them because he had so much fun eating off his sword.
Try them today! You may be surprised just how many you go through and how the enjoyment expands to all ages.
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Who doesn’t love a good lettuce wrap? I have loved trying out different recipes, and this by far takes the cake! It has the perfect flavor and so many different textures. Every time I serve this to friends or family I have to share the recipe. [Read more…]
Trips to grandma’s house were the absolute highlight of my childhood. We were fortunate to live close to both sets of grandparents and made a habit of visiting them often. Now that I have children, I want the same memories and relationships to form with their grandparents. Louisa May Alcott said “every house needs a grandmother in it!” So true- I love the sweetness, adoration and unconditional love that radiates our grandparent’s homes.
My earliest memories of my Grandma Bevan come from having tea parties in her basement with my dolls. Once I graduated from that I became the family school teacher and held class every Sunday evening in the storage room. All cousins were encouraged to attend. I used some of her old teaching resources and developed leadership skills at a very young age. My memories are filled with moments serving with grandma in neighborhood, family or even global service projects. I especially loved the confidence they gave me and the interest they showed in my talents and successes.
Grandma Ericson was a friend to all. I think that every grandchild felt like they were her favorite because of the way she made each of us feel. I remember having girl cousins sleepovers and staying up late laughing and playing games together. Then in the early morning hours, we little girls created a menu for their very own restaurant breakfast. Grandma loved traditions and made sure we had some fun way to celebrate each holiday. My favorite was the 4th of July which remains my favorite today. Grandma always had a quilt project going and was always extra excited to share them with me. She took time for everyone and was always present at as many games, ballet recitals and piano performances her schedule and time on earth would allow.
One thing that both of my grandmas had in common was a love for dessert. It didn’t matter what was going on in the house, as soon as they said dessert is ready, everyone dropped what they were doing and ran to the kitchen. Blueberry Dessert is one of my Grandma Bevan’s famous treats and making it brought back more memories than I knew what to do with.
So this week’s menu is inspired by a family favorite grandma dessert. I hope you get a rush from making it, serving it or sharing it like I am sure you will from eating it.
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I know everyone wants to find the absolute best rice crispy recipe. I’m here to tell you there is not one but I can teach you how to make them amazing every time by using these simple steps.