Anansi the Spider

This is another jam-packed family event weekend. May in Baristaville is lovely. The weather, the flowers, the family events….

We’ve told you about:

• Art Without Borders Art Show and Sale
• School of Rock Montclair’s British Invasion Concert
• BHS’s Theatre production “Be As You Are”
• MayFest
• Mayfair
• Spring Fling
• Tour de Montclair
• Presby Iris Gardens Family Garden Party
• Circle Line’s Kid’s Cruise Kick-Off

And yes, there’s even more!

The Montclair Academy of Dance and Laboratory of Music (MADLOM) will hold an Anansi the Spider Peace Quilt Workshop for all ages. it will be a fun afternoon of an afternoon of art and literature, with live drum accompaniment. (Saturday, May 19)

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With Springfield Avenue Partnership as the host and Walgreens as the presenter, Maplewood MayFest will celebrate its 11th Anniversary on Sunday, May 20.

Highlights of MayFest 2012 will include petting zoos and four ponies to ride, a kiddie train and inflatable rides, a balloon animal maker and lots of fun activities for kids. A Classic Car Show will display custom and special interest cars. More than 100 vendors, artists, crafters and civic associations, live music provided by some of the area’s hottest bands plus great food representing the diverse community that lives, works, shops and dines along Springfield Avenue will complete the scene at one of Maplewood’s largest and most anticipated community events.

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Another busy weekend and Sunday is Mother’s Day!In between pampering Mom, enjoy some family time.

We’ve already told you about:

• Montclair High’s SVPA production of Urinetown: The Musical
• The Giants Beware! book reading and signing at Watchung Booksellers
• The Glen Ridge Arts Festival & Eco-Fair

But there’s more. Here are this weekend’s highlights:

Drop off the kids off at The Messy Artist in South Orange this afternoon for the Mother’s Day Gift-making workshop. They’ll make Mom a gift and a card. (Friday, May 11)

Stop in to the Bloomfield Public Library all day on Saturday to make tissue-paper flowers. Mom will love them! (Saturday, May 12)

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Sometimes it is nice to make something, not for or with your kids but, for yourself. Let me say that again in case you didn’t understand those words… NOT FOR OR WITH YOUR KIDS, BUT FOR YOURSELF. Seriously where does mommy guilt get us? Straight to Nowheresville, population: You. It’s wonderful to craft with your children and okay to craft by yourself, the important thing is to have balance. Hopefully your Mother’s Day will restore some of that balance back into your life. Continue Reading

Two Maplewood moms, friends Elisabeth Antoine and Elizabeth Cunningham Herring, are behind a duo of charming new cupcake books: Be Sweet: It’s a Cupcake Party! Easy-to-Make Scrumptious Cupcakes and Party Toppers ($8.96)

and Be Sweet: Cupcake Whimsy: Easy-To-Make Scrumptious Cupcakes & Party Toppers ($8.96).

I had the pleasure last Saturday of attending the pair’s first book signing at Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, where they graciously shared the story of their collaboration (Elisabeth is an artist and baker; Elizabeth is a writer and editor) as well as a few tips for working with fondant and creating “edible works of art.”

Both books are filled with easy-to-follow recipes and directions, as well as more than 150 color photographs that show how to use fondant to create amazing cupcake topper decorations. With a section on “Fondant Fundamentals” the book has everything you need to know, even if you are a beginner and it will be your first time working with fondant. The book is also perfect for older kids and teens, and creating cupcake toppers is a great idea for a party activity.

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This Saturday, April 28, Maplewood paints the town green with its annual Green Day celebration.  It promises to be a whole lot of fun for the family.

For the 5th year, Maplewood Green Day will offer educational demonstrations on how to be “Greener,” Eco-entertainment, over 100 Green vendors, delicious local food and a Kid Friendly-Planet Fun area, which will have activities from Liberty Science Center, recycling and Up-cycled art projects, a rock wall to climb, a petting zoo, face painting and more! This year will be a big year for bike lovers too. Expect bike demonstrations, free children’s helmets provided by SOMbike on behalf of the Maplewood Police Department, bike shows and more.

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Every year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, the Glen Ridge Arts Festival & Eco-Fair fills Ridgewood Avenue with beautiful art and crafts to purchase, games, foods, music an more. The 34^th Annual Glen Ridge Arts Festival happens on Saturday, May 12.

There will be great children’s activities. Turtle Back Zoo will return again this year with animals from the zoo, there will be a moonwalk, face painting, sand art and art activities with artist Suzanne O’Conner of StudioKids.  Home Depot will return with hands on building projects for kids and other groups will present craft activities.  Vendors will attend with children’s items including marionettes, magic wands, doll clothes and rocks and mineral specimens.

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Earth Day is on Sunday, April 22. We’ve told you about Montclair’s film screening and Shred-Fest here, but there are many more ways to celebrate Mother Earth with the family:

Earth Day at Essex County Environmental Center
Who: All ages
What: The public is invited to the Environmental Center’s annual outdoor Earth Day festival. Play in nature with crafts, games, recreation opportunities, demonstrations, local green vendor products and services, and information on all partner groups at the Center.
When: Saturday, April 21 at 11 am – 4 pm.
Where: Essex County Environmental Center 621B Eagle Rock Avenue Roseland, NJ.
Cost: Free.

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There are two simple reasons all of the flowers are blooming so early this year: 1)Global Swarming (like global warming but just slightly different) and 2) Simply because I told them to and I use my powers for good and not evil. What is the lesson we are all suppose to learn here? Well for one, don’t piss me off or I will kill your lawn with my mind powers and two writing something random and funny about cherry blossom barrettes is not impossible.

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This year, Easter just crept right up on me.

I’ll admit, that with school visits for next year in full swing, it completely escaped my attention. Look, I know what you’re thinking, but don’t judge: the date changes every year! What chance has a girl got?

Distractions aside, it dawned on me to this morning that I needed to rustle up some Easter baskets for my girls and being in the boondocks two hours north of Baristaville, I ended up doing a 60-mile round-trip and getting them from a gas station. Again, don’t judge…

Then, it hit me I needed some desserts for an Easter lunch that we had been invited to. Easter Lunch!?! The clue was in the title—I have no excuse for that—either way I needed to make something fast with store-cupboard ingredients and these recipes saved me.

These two choc-tastic offerings are unbelievably easy and quick: The “cheat’s chocolate cake” has just a handful of ingredients and the chocolate nest eggs are so easy your kids could make them. Even if you don’t celebrate Easter these are great desserts to have in your repertoire.

First off here’s the easiest chocolate cake recipe ever – Chocolate Nutella Cake aka Cheat’s Chocolate Cake

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