Family Traditions

Sharing An Autumn Delight — Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

/ jrmilson / 3 Comments

Happy October!

And Happy Autumn, my most favorite time of year!

The stifling heat and humidity of Summer are in the rearview mirror, and the air has a delightful crispness to it.

We rotate our clothing, packing away the light shirts and shorts of summer, and dress in our favorite flannel shirts and sweaters once more. Autumn’s arrival means it’s time for my yearly “Boots and Blue Jeans” season.

And if dressed in our favorite flannel shirt, blue jeans, and boots, what better place to visit than an apple orchard? Over the years, I’ve made many trips to local apple orchards, riding wagons to the orchard and collecting apples to bring home. “Apple knocking,” as my father used to call it.

Each year, we would bring home two or three bushels of apples for my Mother to transform into various apple dishes, including applesauce, pan-fried cinnamon apples, baked apples, apple pies, and my beloved apple cider doughnuts.

I love apple cider. And I love doughnuts. So an Apple Cider Doughnut? Oh, yes, please. The taste of fall in a single bite!

Sadly, she never wrote or passed along her exact recipe, but Little Red Bear searched and found one that produces the same delicious doughnuts. Mmmm — so good!

Sitting down on a brisk weekend morning, watching squirrels scurry about collecting food while leaves fall, and enjoying a warm apple cider doughnut with a hot cup of tea feels magical to me. My personal Autumn delight.

Baked doughnuts have always been my preference over fried ones, and this recipe by Sally’s Baking Recipes is a winner. I encourage you to give the recipe a try and enjoy one of my favorite Autumn treats, best when fresh and warm out of the oven.

Find the recipe here → Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

“Thank You!” for visiting with us today, and for taking a few moments of your day to share with us here.

If new to the site, I encourage you to register today to be notified of every new post and feature from now on.

And to join us again next Monday, when we continue the series about living a life of gratitude leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim (and Red!) 🤠 🐻 🍂 🍁 🍂 🧡

In case you missed it, I invite you to catch up on our weekly Monday Morning series — Living A Life of Gratitude, Mental Health Benefits, and Physical Health Benefits leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

You may also enjoy — “Happy October! Welcome Glorious Autumn!” and “Take A Walk To A Park for Healthy Exercise & Fun!”

(Featured image credit — “Apple Cider Doughnuts and Tea, Watercolor,” created via Bing Image Creator AI)

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Mitakuye Oyasin — We Are All Related,” and “Walking A Mile In Another’s Moccasins; What Tracks Will We Leave Behind?”

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In a world where we can be anything, please choose to be Kind!

When not out fishing or gathering honey, Little Red Bear and Cinnamon Charlie love to color in their spare time!

If you have little ones around or simply enjoy coloring yourself for relaxation and fun, be sure to check out “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages.”

Download and color as many as you like, free of charge, because that’s just how we roll here!

Happy Coloring!

“Life is better with a doughnut. Even more enjoyable with two.” — Little Red Bear
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy donuts. And that’s kind of the same thing.” — Unknown

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends — “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!

Think Globally — Act Locally!

Tomorrow Begins With YOU Today!

There Is No “Planet B.”

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone. We freely share all content and do not generate any income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating the site.

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Patrons help my friend Little Red Bear and me continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting and inappropriate advertisements, dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes; sharing messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Positivity, Kindness, Compassion, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

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“None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an afterthought. Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean.” — Keanu Reeves
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Thank You for visiting! Best Wishes and God Bless! — Jim (and Red!)

 

Happy November Autumns — When the Frost is on the Pumpkin!

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Hey howdy, and thank you for visiting with us! Recently, I have been thinking about fall visits to my uncle’s farm as a small boy years ago. Enjoying beautiful November Autumns in the countryside.

We just went thru a much below-average cold spell the past week, feeling more like January than October with overnight lows down to 22F each night. Early morning walks with my little chihuahua (bundled in a sweater) at 26F. The grass and fallen leaves were covered in frost and I could see my breath in the air. My kind of morning!

We are warming back up now to more temps above normal for the next few days before another cold front comes thru and brings it all back down again mid-week. But such is the rollercoaster month of November here in this part of the Midwest each year.

One of my Mother’s favorite poems and one I became more familiar with in school years ago was “When The Frost Is On the Punkin”, by James Whitcomb Riley.

The poem is another one of those things that suddenly popped into my head a few days ago when we had the frosty weather and mornings here during the cold snap.

“Put your jacket on this morning, “the frost is on the punkin,” my Mother would say as I was gathering my things for school.

As those who follow me here and on Facebook know, from May to October I struggle to survive each Summer, and am all about Autumn. I love the crisp, invigorating air of frosty morning walks and drives thru the countryside in the fall.

Accordingly, I enjoy the manner in which the “When The Frost Is On the Punkin” poem was written, in such a colorful, rural vernacular style.  It just seems to perfectly suit the theme and in my mind transports me back to beautiful, crisp, and frosty mornings on my uncle’s farm in the country years ago.

So, sharing the poem below with everyone, as it seems so appropriate for this Autumn time of the year when days grow shorter, the sun highlights hillsides dazzling in golds and reds, fallen leaves carpet the meadows, the scent of woodsmoke fills the evening air, and frost is on the grass. And pumpkins.

“When the Frost is on the Punkin”

by James Whitcomb Riley 
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ turkey-cock,
And the clackin’ of the guineys, and the cluckin’ of the hens,
And the rooster’s hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it’s then’s the times a feller is a-feelin’ at his best,
With the risin’ sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.
They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here—
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin’ of the bees;
But the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur’ that no painter has the colorin’ to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock.
The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin’ of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo’ lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin’ sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover over-head!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin’ like the tickin’ of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!
Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;
And your cider-makin’ ’s over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too! …
I don’t know how to tell it—but ef sich a thing could be
As the Angels wantin’ boardin’, and they’d call around on me—
I’d want to ’commodate ’em—all the whole-indurin’ flock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock!

Thank you for visiting with us today!

Autumn and leading into the Holiday Season is my favorite time of year, and I hope you enjoy these seasonally-themed posts and are able to venture into the outdoors now and then to also experience the joys of Autumn for yourself!

Please visit often as new features and posts are added during the upcoming Holiday Season.

Register Today to be notified of every new post and feature and never miss out! Because the icy feeling of missing out would be much more cold and uncomfortable than sitting on a frosty pumpkin, don’t you think?

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Until next time — Best Wishes & Blessings! — Jim  (and Red!) 🤠 🐻 🍂 🧡 🍎 🎃 🍁

In A World Where You Can Be Anything — Be Kind. Because Kindness Matters!

With children and grandchildren around (and for those of any age who like to color!), we invite you to visit “Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages”.

Enjoy hours of family coloring fun and time together, all offered Free for our visitors!

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “Sharing Autumn Joy & Free Wallpaper Images!” →   and “Happy Autumn, Pumpkin Spice, and Everything Nice about Fall!”

If you love Autumn and Scarecrows like I do, you may also enjoy my seasonal short story about a young boy and a scarecrow, inspired by a visit to my uncle’s farm years ago, entitled “Haystack Harry.”

New Visitors — Welcome!

To find out what we are all about, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear” — and sign up to follow and be notified of every new post! Because really, why in the world wouldn’t you?

        “And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep and Autumn was awakened.” – Raquel Franco
"First Frost" by artist John Sloane

“First Frost” by artist John Sloane

“Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.” – Shira Tamir 

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” – Oscar Wilde 

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone, with all content freely shared, and generates no income to offset the costs of developing new materials, maintaining, and operating.

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“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”
Thank You for visiting with us!
Please feel free to share with family and friends. Likes, Shares, and Comments are truly appreciated and help greatly to expand our reach and encourage new readers and visitors!
Because together, we can do so much! 

“For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.” – Edwin Way Teale 

 

Happy “National Good Neighbor Day!”

/ jrmilson / 1 Comment

Happy “National Good Neighbor Day!”

Do you remember the days when someone new would move into the neighborhood and folks would bring them warm casseroles for dinners or a basket of things to welcome them into the neighborhood?

Or, the tradition of bringing a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine as a blessing to ensure everyone would have enough to eat in the home? Some would bring salt and a new broom along, too.

Good Neighbor Day celebrates the importance of both having and being a good neighbor, and provides an opportunity to go out and get to know our neighbors a little better.

It is a blessing to have a good neighbor, and even more important to BE one. Oftentimes, neighbors become friends and help to look out for each other, especially if one or the other happens to be elderly or somehow impaired or challenged in any way.

Being a good neighbor helps to make good neighbors. Like so many things in life, it is simply all about kindness, isn’t it? A kind word, gesture, and a helping hand. Being there for someone and them being there for you in times of need.

I encourage you to call or take the time to visit with a neighbor today. We never know where it may lead, perhaps to a wonderful new friendship.

If you love the Autumn season as much as we do, I invite you to check out our most recent post – “Sharing Autumn Joy & Free Wallpaper Images!” and register to be notified of every new post and feature!

Best Wishes and Blessings!  — Jim  (and Red!)  🤠 🐻

With children back in school now, we invite you to visit Little Red Bear’s “Back-To-School” Coloring Pages along with Little Red Bear’s “Happy Autumn Season!” Coloring Pages for hours of family coloring fun and time together!

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart”  and  “Judge Softly” or “Walk a Mile in His Moccasins”

(New Visitors — Welcome! To find out what we are all about, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear” — and sign up to follow and be notified of every new post! Because really, why in the world wouldn’t you?)

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” – John Wooden

“Definition of a good neighbor: someone to be trusted; a courteous, friendly source of help when help is needed; someone you can count on; someone who cares.”    Edward B. Rust, Jr.

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!
“And good neighbors make a huge difference in the quality of life. I agree.”    Robert Fulghum

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to be able to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone, with all content freely shared, and generates no income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our new Patron Community today, because together we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we are able to donate free print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Senior Citizens,  School Libraries and Classrooms, and to those who could otherwise not obtain a copy.

Patrons also help my friend Little Red Bear and me to continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting advertisements,  dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes while sharing positive messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Kindness, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

We invite you to Join Us In Making A Positive Difference In The World!

“Being a good neighbor is an art which makes life richer.” — Gladys Taber
Thank You for visiting with us!
Please feel free to share with family and friends. Likes, Shares, & Comments are truly appreciated and help greatly to expand our reach and encourage new readers and visitors!
Because together, we can do so much! 

 

Happy National Root Beer Float Day!

/ jrmilson / 6 Comments

Happy National Root Beer Float Day!

According to the National Day Calendar folks, whose version of history is provided below, the Root Beer Float was initially known as the “Black Cow.” But not in our home growing up. Although the perfect summer treat, my father loved and made Root Beer Floats for us year-round. But, a Root Beer Float was a Root Beer Float because he had another name for a Black Cow — that was a float made with Coca-Cola!

We also had “Purple Cows” made with Grape Soda, and “Red Cows” made with Vess Cream Soda. And the “Orange Cow” made with Orange Soda, of course.

Growing up, we had a herd of ice cream float cows of all different colors in our family growing up! And of course, I would have been remiss not sharing and passing along a special family tradition to my own kids along the way, right?

Returning to the Root Beer Float, though, here is the official version of the Root Beer Float story, from the National Day Calendar page —

“Also known as the “Black Cow,” the root beer float got its start in Colorado in a mining camp. Frank J. Wisner of Cripple Creek, Colorado, gets the credit for inventing the “Black Cow” way back in August of 1893.

“One night Wisner, owner of the Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Gold Mining Company, was staring out the window and thinking about the line of soda waters he was producing for the citizens of Cripple Creek when he came upon an idea. The full moon that night shined on the snow-capped Cow Mountain and reminded him of a scoop of vanilla ice cream. He hurried back to his bar and scooped a spoonful of ice cream into the children’s favorite flavor of soda, Myers Avenue Red Root Beer. After trying, he liked it and served it the very next day. It was an immediate hit.

“Wisner named the new creation, “Black Cow Mountain” but the local children shortened the name to “Black Cow”.”

If you have little ones heading off and excited (or possibly not?) to start the new school year soon, I invite you to visit Little Red Bear’s “Back-to-School” Coloring Pages for Free downloads and coloring fun with the family here!

Thank you always for stopping by to visit!

Who can resist the combination of creamy, vanilla ice cream and ice-cold, frothy root beer on a hot summer day? I encourage you to set some time aside to make and enjoy a Root Beer Float (or another colorful float if you choose!) with your family and friends this weekend. Life is short. Enjoy the little things and make special memories with loved ones!

I was raised on A&W, but now also really enjoy ice-cold Barq’s, as well. What is your favorite brand of Root Beer? Please share and let us know in the comments about other special brands to try!

Take care, best wishes, and God bless! ‘Til next time  — Jim  (and Red!)  🤠 🐻

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also like — “I Will Greet This Day With Love In My Heart”  and  Wishing You Deep Peace, Love, Happiness, and Joy –  And A Very Good Day! 

(New Visitors — Welcome! To find out what we are all about, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear” — and sign up to follow and be notified of every new post! Because really, why in the world wouldn’t you?)

          “Our greatest national resource is the minds of our children.” – Walt Disney 

“Every ounce of effort we put into our children today will someday be measured and accounted for in our children’s futures.” – Robert John Meehan 

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!
“A good laugh is sunshine in the house.” – William Thackeray

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to be able to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone, with all content freely shared, and generates no income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating.

If you enjoy your visits and time with us, I invite you to Join our new Patron Community today, because together we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, we are able to donate free print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Senior Citizens,  School Libraries and Classrooms, and to those who could otherwise not obtain a copy.

Patrons also help my friend Little Red Bear and me to continue this as a Non-Monetized site free of distracting advertisements,  dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes while sharing positive messages of Happiness, Inspiration, Kindness, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation with everyone.

We invite you to Join Us In Making A Positive Difference In The World!

“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.” – Richard L. Evans
Thank You for visiting with us!
Please feel free to share with family and friends. Likes, Shares, & Comments are truly appreciated and help expand our reach and encourage new readers to visit!
Because together, we can do so much! 

 

Christmas Peanuts & Linus’s Inspirational Message For Us All

/ jrmilson / 9 Comments

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy Holiday Season to everyone!

Some writer friends and I are taking a few minutes this month, some to recall treasured holiday memories and traditions, and others to take a look back at the writing year soon coming to a close. I invite you to check out their thoughts later, listed at the end of this post.

For me, the morning of December 9th, 1965 found me one week away from my 16th birthday, approaching nearly not fast enough at the time, as you may well imagine — The Big 16!

That evening featured the debut of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on the CBS television network, based on my favorite comic strip “Peanuts” by creator Charles Schulz. The show remains a much-anticipated classic and delight each holiday season for millions of viewers to this day and an annual highlight of my family’s Christmastime.

I honestly do not believe that Charles Shulz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip, ever envisioned the impact this simply created little show would have over time. Nevertheless, over fifty years of continuous broadcasts and changing times have not diluted or diminished the show’s impactful messages.

While there are many discussion themes running thru the story, the most poignant for me has always been Linus’s speech on stage, responding to a frustrated Charlie Brown’s question of — “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!?”

At this time of year, trying to keep our wits about us while navigating thru and around all the hustle and bustle of crowded malls, traffic, grocery shopping, cookie exchanges, decorating, children’s school plays and activities, holiday parties, family pictures and greeting cards, boxes, packages, wrappings, and bows, all while trying to out-maneuver porch pirates from swiping online deliveries, do you ever find yourself wondering the same question — “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

Sometimes we simply need to pause, taking a moment to catch our breath, and reflect.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought,                doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”            — Dr. Seuss

As one of my sometimes forgetful uncles used to say years ago — “I don’t need to be told, but I do occasionally need to be reminded.”

In reply to his friend Charlie Brown, Linus took the stage to remind us all —

“Lights, please . . . .”

“And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid.

“And the angel said unto them — “Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

“And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and goodwill toward men.”

And that is what Christmas is all about. For Charlie Brown. For Linus, Lucy, and Snoopy. For us all. The reason for the season, as they say.

Not to be found in a store, Christmas it turns out, does indeed mean a goodly bit more.

Linus is famously noted for carrying around his trusted security blanket with him wherever he goes. Held tightly fast and never let go lest panic ensues. Have you ever noticed that at the point when Linus repeats the words of the angel “Fear not!” that the blanket is suddenly on the floor beside him, confidently lain aside until he once again retrieves it at the end of the presentation?

There are subtle messages and lessons to be found in Linus’ simple action and demonstration of faith for us all this Christmas Season.

As Ebenezer Scrooge even came to realize in the end — “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year!”

Peace, Good Will, Kindness, Generosity, Charity, Compassion, Empathy, Love — none of these are or should be exclusive or seasonal things, as each of us should truly keep them in our hearts throughout the year.

The Christmas Season is an annual reminder of how we should be always, for everyone and all things in this miraculous and beautiful world we all share and call home. Sometimes we do not need to be told, but occasionally do need to be reminded.

Thru the inspiration of Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts”, Charlie Brown and Linus remind us of the real meaning of the Christmas Season each year.

Thank You for visiting with us! In a period when it seems so much and so many seek to divide us, perhaps the Christmas Season is a time when we can all set aside differences for a while, come together in the spirit of the season, and just perhaps, realize that in coming together, like Charlie Brown’s little Christmas tree, that those things are really not so divisive and bad, after all.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and Holiday Season!

A simple act of kindness or encouraging word can change someone’s entire life around. Will you do that for someone today?

In the Spirit of Christmas.  — Jim  (and Red!)  🤠 🐻

If you grew up with the Coca-Cola Santa image as I did as a baby boomer in the ’50s, you may also enjoy my piece on  → “Haddon Sundblom, Coca-Cola and Santa Claus” 

(New Visitors — Welcome! To find out what we are all about here, please check out — “Welcome To My Writing Pages!” and “About the Blog, Jim & Little Red Bear”

(Then sign up to follow and be notified of every new post!)

I invite you to please visit with my other writer friends to discover more about their writing year and holiday season thoughts!

Cat Michaels — “My Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road”

Rebecca Lyndsey — “December Dreamin’ – Holiday Traditions that Ring in My Season”

Julie Gorges — “Baby Boomer Writer’s Ups, Downs & In-Betweens in 2019”

Rosie Russell — “My Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road”

Julie Schooler — “3 Writing Wins and Lessons in 2019”

Sandra Bennett — “December Dreaming – 5 Ways Looking Back Can Help You Look Forward”

            “Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.” – Eric Sevareid

“Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.” – Helen Steiner Rice

Meet Little Red Bear & His Friends —  “Once Upon A Time In A Very Special Woods . . . .”

Old-fashioned, Family-friendly Stories and Fun for All Ages! 
About an Uncommonly Special Bear and His Friends.
Tap Here For A Free Preview!

“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” – Washington Irving

This is a purposefully non-monetized, ad-free site to be able to offer the most enjoyable reading and viewing experience for everyone, with all content freely shared, and generates no income to offset the costs of maintaining and operating. If you enjoy your visits and time with us, Join our new Patron Community today, because together we can do so much!

With the help of patrons, each month we are able to donate free print copies of “The Adventures of Little Red Bear: The First Holler!” to Senior Citizens,  Schools,  Classrooms, and Local Libraries,  and to those who could otherwise not obtain a copy. 

Patrons also help my friend Little Red Bear and me to cover site fees, registrations and operating costs while continuing this as a non-monetized, ad-free site,  dedicated solely to entertainment and educational purposes while sharing positive messages of happiness, inspiration, and kindness with everyone.

We invite you to join us in making a positive difference in the world!

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” – Dale Evans Rogers

 

Little Red Bear’s Second Annual Easter Recipes & Ideas To Please Everybunny!

/ jrmilson / 2 Comments

When Little Red Bear and I are not busy filling jars of honey to swap with Farmer Turner for crates of eggs to dye, we like to discover interesting and fun new recipes and treats to make for family and friends.

With my arm injury having sidelined me for several months over the holidays and into the new year, it has been a while since Little Red Bear and I have shared some of his special recipe finds. But with the Easter Bunny working overtime and the holiday drawing near again he thought it a good time to share some more Easter treats and ideas.

Starting off with a healthier treat for the little ones because being about Easter treats and goodies it’s likely to become more sugary sweet as we go along.

As usual, simply tap on the link or image to view the original recipe and provider’s page.  Happy Hopping!

Healthy Oatmeal Peanut Butter Eggs

An alternative to sugary sweets, anyone loving peanut butter should love these Oatmeal Peanut Butter Eggs — all natural, vegan, vegetarian, and make a wonderful holiday snack for those on a diet, as well. From the ‘Savvy Naturalista’ blog.

Healthy Oatmeal Peanut Butter Eggs Recipe

Easter Breads with an Egg

Billowy soft, beautifully golden and lightly sweet buns with a perfectly cooked egg. A very different Easter holiday treat for Easter brunch or breakfast with the family! From the ‘Natasha’s Kitchen’ blog.

Easter Breads with an Egg Recipe

Rainbow Bunny Peeps Wreath

Little Red Bear and I are both big fans of the often maligned and innocent little Peeps around this time of year. Here is a delightful project to fashion the Bunny Peeps into a colorful wreath, or as a delightful table centerpiece, too. From the ‘Tried & True’ blog.

Rainbow Bunny Peeps Wreath Instructions

Carrot Cake Blondies

Anyone who knows me also knows that I love Carrot Cake.  One of my sons was married last year and the wedding featured a choice of wedding cake flavors, one of which was Carrot Cake. It’s little signs like that which let you know you raised your kids right.

I also love Blondies. This combines both into a perfect handheld treat for Easter! From the ‘My Heavenly Recipes’ Food Blog.

Carrot Cake Blondies Recipe

Easter Basket Cookie Cups

These are delicious Peanut Butter Cookie Cups filled with Homemade Buttercream Frosting topped with Easter Egg Candies. We’re thinking you better make a bunch! From the wonderful ‘Lil Luna’ Food Blog.

Easter Basket Cookie Cups Recipe

Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Another delightful Easter treat for fellow Carrot Cake lovers, in handy bar form for easy snacking and treats! From the very aptly named ‘Eat Cake For Dinner’ food blog. Who can argue with that?

Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Carrot Cake Fudge

Yes, we realize — another Carrot Cake oriented recipe. But it’s Fudge!  Carrot Cake Fudge! I mean, Easter Fudge for goodness sake!

Oh, wait.  I have to fan Little Red Bear.  I think he just passed out from excitement.  From the ‘Wine and Glue’ blog.

Carrot Cake Fudge Recipe

Peeps Skillet S’mores

Some folks, like Little Red Bear and myself, look forward to the annual appearance of colorful little Peeps in the stores each Spring. Others, not so much, and feel they should be set to torches. Well, here is a compromise.  A delightful little Peeps treat for both little ones and adults — Skillet S’mores.  Torch them in the oven and then dip away. This colorful and fun treat is from the ‘Delish’ blog.

Peeps Skillet S’mores Recipe

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Lemon Poppy Seed ‘Anything’ is one of my favorite taste combinations in cakes, muffins, cupcakes, and whatever. Soft, moist and buttery with a refreshing lemon flavor for Spring and topped with a Cream Cheese Frosting, this cake will be a hit at your Easter brunch and dinner. Keep the recipe handy for those who will be asking for it. From the ‘Oh, Sweet Basil’ food blog.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Easter Cathedral Candy

A carryover from last year’s Easter Recipes simply because it such a beautiful and amazing no-bake recipe to prepare ahead of time for the Easter holiday. These candies require only three ingredients — vanilla flavored melting wafers or almond bark, colored mini marshmallows, and sweetened coconut.  Mix, chill, slice, and serve!

One of our favorites and certainly worth sharing again! From the ‘Mom On Timeout’ Food Blog.

Easter Cathedral Candy Recipe

Easter Rice Krispie Cake

Rice Krispie treats in all shapes and sizes are a year ’round favorite here, and make into a colorful Easter Cake for a holiday brunch, dinner, or buffet for the family. And fun food treat for little ones!  From ‘The Novice Chef’ Food Blog.

Easter Rice Krispie Cake Recipe

Easter Eggs and Creative Hunt & Craft ideas!

For anyone who may be new to hard-boiling (or struggling with it as we seemed to somehow always do each year) and coloring Easter Eggs, or who may be looking for some exciting and different new decorating ideas, check out the helpful links below.

How To Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs

A Handy Food Coloring Custom Mixing Chart

Making Tie Dye Easter Eggs

How To Dye Easter Eggs with Kool-Aid

Decorating Natural Brown Easter Eggs

How To Make Marbelized Easter Eggs

Creating Colorful Easter Eggs With Melted Crayons

How To Dye Easter Eggs With Rice

Rice Shake Easter Eggs in Ziploc Bags

Making Salt Dough Easter Eggs

Fun Easter Activity for Kids — “Easter Eggs-ercises”

Fun New Easter Egg Hunt Ideas

STEM Easter Activities & Projects for Kids

Easter Chick Yarn Art Project

18 Simple Easter Crafts for Kids

If looking for some Non-Candy or sweets alternatives for little ones’ Easter baskets, check out these wonderful suggestions.

Give Little Red Bear a bottle of bubbles on a Spring day and he will forget all about candy blowing bubbles into the breeze! Guaranteed. (For five minutes. Honey thoughts never leave his mind, so save your bubbles if hoping for that.)

Little Red Bear thought these were hilarious and laughed himself into a fit of hiccups when we came across this fun little idea — the Hatching Chick Hardboiled Eggs. We thought your little ones might get a kick out this simple little trick on Easter morning, too. We’re never really certain what is inside an egg until we crack it, are we?  This fun idea from the ‘Hungry Happenings’ Food Blog.

Hatching Chick Hardboiled Eggs Instructions

Find over 600 more Easter Holiday features on my Easter Treats, Fun Crafts, and Activities Board on Pinterest. To find today’s features and all of the recipes we have shared so far, visit our Little Red Bear’s Hand-picked Blog Recipes Board.

Visit and Like my Writer’s Facebook Page for daily inspiration and features.

Thanks as always for spending part of your day with us! We would be honored if you recommended our site and pages to friends and family.

Little Red Bear and I look forward to your visits here, and hope that in our own way we help to make your day special, too!

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and Happy Easter! — Jim  (and Red!)

If you enjoyed this piece, you may also enjoy our first “Easter Recipes Special”

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“I still believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and true love. Don’t even try to tell me different.” – Dolly Parton

                “The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends and love never dies.”               – Kate McGahan

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“I lied on my Weight Watchers list. I put down that I had 3 eggs . . . but they were Cadbury Chocolate Eggs.” – Caroline Rhea  

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