It’s that time of the year again, when the stores start putting out heart shaped everything and love is in the air. Another Valentine’s Day is coming up quickly; a time of year to show your loved ones just how much you appreciate and love them. So, here are some treats and gifts that’ll show just that!

Treats:

Sweetheart Cherry Pies:

If you’re looking for an easy but very delicious treat, this is the thing for you! It only takes about 25 minutes to prepare and bake. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Pie dough (you can usually find this in any grocery store)
• Fresh Cherries
• Ricotta cheese
• Sugar
• 1 tbsp of butter, melted
• Heart cookie cutter

Step 1: Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees and make sure to line a baking sheet with some parchment paper.

Step 2: Take your pie dough and roll it out to about an inch thick and then take your heart shaped cookie cutter and press them into the dough. Make sure to use all of the leftover scraps to make more!

Step 3: Take all of your cherries and make sure to remove the pit, an easy way of doing that is by using a straw to help push it out. After you’ve removed the pit, chop up the cherries into small little pieces.

Step 4: In the bowl of cherries add a small pinch of sugar, or more if you have a sweet tooth.

Step 5: On the lines baking sheet, take the heart shaped pie dough and lay them on gently. After you’ve placed all of the pie dough out, take a spoonful of the ricotta cheese and place it into the middle of each heart, doing the same with your chopped up cherries.

Step 6: Lay down the top dough and seal the edges with a fork. After you’ve sealed the dough together, take your melted butter and brush it over top.

Step 6: Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure to let the little pies cool down before serving!

Step 7: Enjoy the sweet treat with your friends and family or with your significant other!

Candy Heart Bark:
This chocolate dessert is one of the easiest treats to make! All it takes is about five ingredients; here’s what they are!

• White chocolate
• Canola or vegetable oil
• Semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• Conversation heart candies
• Food coloring of your choice

Step 1: Take a baking sheet and like it with parchment paper or a silicone mat if you have one.

Step 2: Using a double boiler or a microwave melt down your white chocolate, taking it out every 20 seconds to stir it thoroughly, adding about a tbsp of your oil into the chocolate. After melting the chocolate you can add any color that you want.

Step 2: Melt your semisweet in the same exact way that you did with the white chocolate. After the semisweet chocolate is melted, pour it onto the lined baking sheet, spreading it out evenly.

After you finish spreading the chocolate, use a spoon to scoop up your white chocolate/colored chocolate and randomly pour it into different spaces on top of the semisweet chocolate.

Step 3: Using a tip of a toothpick or even a fork, to drag the white chocolate into different shapes, creating a water marble effect. Before the chocolate hardens up, take your heart candies and place them all around your chocolate.

Step 4: Put the tray into the refrigerator and let it harden for about 2 hours. After its hardened, take the chocolate and break it into pieces as large or as small as you’d like!

DIY gifts:

Heart Bath bombs:

• Baking Soda
• Citric Acid
• Fine Epsom Salts
• Jojoba Oil
• Love Potion Essential Oil
• Red food coloring
• Witch hazel
• Mesh strainer
• Spray bottle
• Silicone heart mold
• Plastic gloves

Directions:

Take your mesh strainer and place it over a large bowl, pour in 1 cup of your baking soda, 1/2 cup citric acid and 1/4 cup of fine epsom salts.

Stir baking soda, citric acid and epsom salts until well blended, making sure there are no lumps.

Next, slowly add 1/2 Tablespoon of jojoba oil to the dry mixture. Add 10 drops of Love Potion essential oil and 1-2 drops of food coloring.

Wearing plastic gloves, mix the oils and food coloring through the dry mixture, until it is well incorporated and pink.

Once mixture is blended, slowly add witch hazel, one spritz at a time, until the bath bomb mixture sticks together when squeezed.

You’ll need about 8 to 10 spritzes of witch hazel to get the right consistency. The mixture should not be crumbly. It should stick together when squeezed, but you don’t want it too wet or it may begin to fizz.

Pack the slightly damp mixture tightly into the heart shape molds. Be sure to pack the mixture well, fitting in as much as possible into each mold. (This recipe should make 5 to 6 heart-shaped bath bombs.)

Allow to dry for several hours, or ideally overnight, then remove the homemade bath bombs from the molds.

They should be very hard when you remove them from the molds. Wrap bath bombs tightly in plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place, away from any moisture.

Strawberry Sugar Scrub:

This perfect, and easy little gift is perfect for anyone who loves smooth skin! This strawberry sugar scrub is made in a few minutes, and smells absolutely amazing; here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup cane sugar
• 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
• 3/4 cup organic virgin coconut oil, room temperature
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Step 1: Take a big ziploc bag and place your freeze-dried strawberries in them. Make sure to seal it real tight, taking all of the air out to make it easier to smash it. You can use a rolling pin to smash the strawberries into almost a dust like consistency.

Step 2: place your strawberry dust into a bowl and add your cane sugar. After you’ve added your sugar, take your coconut oil and place it into the bowl as well, along with your vanilla.

Step 3: Combine everything together!

You can put this scrub into any container that you’d like, big or small! Enjoy using this while showering or while taking a nice hot bath! This will do wonders for you skin.

I hope you take your time to make these wonderful little treats and gifts, whether that be for your loved ones or even just for yourself! Have an amazing Valentine’s Day this year, spend it doing something fun!

Winter time is the time for staying inside and trying to keeping warm, so why not be productive and spend your time inside making different winter treats that will impress almost anyone who sees them. For those who need some different treat ideas, here are some that I’m sure that you’ll love.  

For those of you who are looking for a very easy, winter sweet treat, this is perfect for you. This treat is for those of you who have a liking for all things chocolate! Here are the things that you’ll need:

• White Almond Bark or a white chocolate of your choice (half package)
• Mint Oreos or another cookies and cream alternative (half package)
• White Peppermint M&M’s
• Red and green sprinkles

On a parchment paper, laid on to a square pan, you’ll want to spread out your melted chocolate, or your white almond bark, if you’re using that.

The next step is to crush up your Oreos; I find that the easiest way to do this is by putting them inside a bag and using a rolling pin to smash them into different pieces.

The next steps are pretty simple! Carefully sprinkle on your M&M’s and sprinkles on to the chocolate.

If you think that was easy, now all you have to do is put it into the fridge at let the chocolate harden; this took about 7-8 minutes for me.

After your chocolate has hardened, now all you have to do is take your treat and break them into pieces, big or small, it’s all up to you.

If you’re in need for an easy treat, one that’ll only take you only a few seconds, then I’m sure this little snack will tickle your fancy.

The simple ingredients that you’ll need are:

• Strawberries
• Vanilla frosting (either canned or homemade is just fine)
• Black gel icing

The steps to this treat are very simple.

All you’ll need to do is to wash your strawberries and cut off the top off each.

Once you’re done with that, you’ll need to cut each one in half, make sure to keep track of which half goes with which!

Once your strawberries are all cut up, you’re going to take your frosting and place some onto the middle of your strawberry halves, placing the top of the strawberries on to the frosting.

With that done, you can then have fun with all of the different faces you can draw onto the strawberry, creating a small little strawberry Santa!

This treat is for those who love all things cookies; which we all know is a lot of people!

The ingredients you’ll need are:

• 1 bag Hershey’s Kisses Candy Cane – Kisses
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Red and green colored sugar

The very first thing you want to make sure you do is preheat your oven to 350 degrees and also to remove your wrappers from the candies. You will need about 35-40 pieces of candies, depending on the sizes of each of them.

In a big bowl, you’ll want to mix together your butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs until everything is blended in fully.

The next thing you’ll want to do is to begin adding in your dry ingredients, starting with the flour and then adding in your baking soda and salt.

Once that is complete you’ll want to add your milk and butter mixture into your bowl, making sure that everything is well combined.

Now it’s time for the fun part! Taking your cookie dough, you’ll want to roll them into balls, any size that you’ll like will do, with each ball you’ll take the cookie dough and roll them into either the green or red sprinkles and place them onto a parchment lined baking sheet!

You’ll now want to put the cookies into the oven and let them cook for about 8-10 minutes, making sure to rotate the baking sheet in between.

Once the cookies are done cooking, take them out and let them rest for about 2-3 minutes before you press your chocolate kisses into the center of each one!

These are a small sample of some different winter treats that you can make;  there are a lot of others out there, and I hope that you take some time to make these wonderful sweet treats. You won’t regret it at all; it’ll make the winter time seem ten times better!

There are a lot of places to go for winter break, and there are warm and cold places to go to; like in Mexico, it’s cold just like here, but without snow, and in San Diego it’s warm. Both are a good place to have a vacation, and you can learn, have fun, learn history about where you are, and learn how it became to be. Mexico is an amazing place to visit anytime, and San Diego is too.

MEXICO
This a good place to go to on winter break. It might be cold, but there are places to go to and have fun in, and places you’ve never been to, like the capital. There are amazing places to see and learn about history or your relatives. There is a lot of history in Mexico that people don’t think, or know about. People might think Mexicans might be bad or good, but all they care about is to get things better. Their cities are very beautiful and the places to visit are: Mexico City, Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Puebla, Guadalajara, and more. There are a lot of different cultures, and people there will surprise you.

SAN DIEGO
Fallbrook, in San Diego county, is the avocado capital of the world, and San Diego’s average year round temperature is 70 degrees. San Diego is a city on the Pacific Coast of California, that is known for its beaches, parks, and warm climate. They have amazing zoos, art galleries, artist studios, museums, and gardens. San Diego has a lot of beautiful things to see and learn about, like when, and how, and who, discovered it. People also can be in boats and sail. They have casinos, cruises, sports, and a lot more. There is a lot of history and activities to do explore with your family.

Thanksgiving weekend is great. You get a few days off of work/school, there’s Black Friday sales, you have a lot of leftover food, and you get to see friends and family. If you’re going to a Thanksgiving party, having friends/family over, or just want to do something over the long weekend, here are some easy and fun treats.

Mini Peach Raspberry Pies

Pies are a very popular this time of year, but here is something quick, and since they are mini pies, they might take a little more time, but it is worth it. Most of the ingredients needed are ones you should probably already have at home (flour, sugar, eggs, milk butter), but here are the ones you might need to run to the grocery store for:

-Peaches, diced
-Raspberries
-Prepared pie crust

Full recipe and steps here – https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/COOKING-WITH-KIDS–MINI-PEACH-RASPBERRY-PIES

Rice Krispie Pumpkin Pie

Since pies have always been a popular Thanksgiving treat, here is a twist on the classic pumpkin pie. This is a perfect idea if you’re short on time, as this recipe calls for easy to get ingredients. Again, most of these ingredients you probably have at home (butter, vanilla extract) but here are the ones you might need to stop and get:

-Rice Krispie Cereal
-Marshmallows
-Orange food coloring
-Pumpkin pie spice

Full recipe and steps here – https://www.justataste.com/pumpkin-pie-rice-krispies-treats-recipe/

Fruit Cornucopias

Here is one of the healthiest (in comparison to the other two I had above), and easiest recipes yet. It involves one key ingredient: waffle ice cream cones. Dice up fruit of your choice, place a small piece of parchment paper inside the cone so it doesn’t get soggy and serve!

The full recipe can be found here – https://kirbiecravings.com/2014/09/fruit-cones.html

If you’re still looking for more ideas I found most of mine on this website: https://www.buzzfeed.com/melissaharrison/thanksgiving-desserts-for-kids?utm_term=.hwRpRKQb4#.ueb4WyMYo

Hopefully these have inspired you to make something fun and festive with your family and friends! If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have a good one! 🙂

Summer is the time to go outside, go on the lake, soak in the sun, or just hang out with friends. Summers in Saint Paul seem endless; there’s just so much that is offered to do in Saint Paul, and around the state of Minnesota.

Throughout the Twin Cities the activities vary from fairs and festivals, to great dining, or even outside music; Saint Paul has it all. Here are just some of the options that are available for you to enjoy this summer.

First, dine outside. Most restaurants or cafes have an option to sit outside, in MN you really have to spend as much time in the sun as possible, since it is very limited.

Next you can go to a zoo, Minnesota Zoo or Como Zoo, or you can take time to enjoy the arts at such places as the Walker Art Center, or you can even go to a museum (Children’s Museum or Science Museum).

You could also go spend time on the river or lake. In Saint Paul, and all throughout Minnesota, you can find any water activity you think of. You could go take a cruise down the river on the Padelford riverboats at Harriet Island, or you could just go find a lake and spend some time on the beach. Most parks with a lake will offer a beach with a swimming area and an option to rent kayaks, canoes, and/or paddle boards.

Throughout the rest of Minnesota there are many key points of interests that include:

• Mall of America: A huge shopping complex with a indoor amusement park
• Como Zoo: Zoo, gardens, and an amusement park
• Sea life at the Mall of America: Oceanic exhibits an play areas
• Minnesota History Center: Interactive exhibits, artifacts, and shows
• Science Museum: Educational and interactive exhibits
• Mill City Museum: A look at the flour industry
• Valleyfair: An amusement park with coasters and kiddie rides
• Walker Art Center: Contemporary art museum
• Minnehaha Park: Bike rentals, hiking, and waterfall
• Cathedral of Saint Paul: Revered beaux art landmark from 1915
• Minnesota State Capitol: Minnesota’s history
• James J. Hill House: Former railway magnate
• Ordway Center for Performing Arts: Concerts and theater  
• Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: Monument
• Gooseberry Falls: Waterfall, camping, and hiking/biking trails
• Split Rock Lighthouse: Historic lighthouse and cliffs
• First Avenue- Music venues
• Regional parks- Beaches, trails, activities, rentals, and camping

This past spring break, a group of 30 Highland Park students (myself included) participated in the France and Spain trip, of 2017, led by Mr. Currie and Ms. Boe. It was a very exciting opportunity for world travel, and for students to practice their knowledge of another language like French or Spanish.

We visited four locations in total: Paris and Provence in France, then Barcelona and Costa Dorada in Spain. The students had free time at some points to walk around, visit some shops, and try some of the local food.

Our first major city was Paris; we visited the Louvre Museum and saw the “Mona Lisa” painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. We also got to tour the city by bus, and see all its famous landmarks like: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Montmartre.

We then traveled to Provence where we visited the Palais de papes, Nimes Amphitheater, and the Pont du Gard.

Once we finished with France, it was on to Spain. Our first city was Barcelona, and there we saw Gaudi’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, and the Columbus Monument. We then visited Park Güell, which is also land founded and made by Gaudi.

Our final destination was Costa Dorada. On the way, we visited a town called Sitges, and got our first glimpse of the coast of Spain. The next day, in Costa Dorada, we spent the whole day on the beach just relaxing after a lot of walking and sightseeing. This was my favorite day because it was nice to just sit on the beach, under the sun, and reflect on all that I had seen in the past week.

One of the best things to do is eat. But it’s a lot more fun when you get to eat holiday snacks and treats, because making them is even more fun, and surprisingly easy. During these past two days I’ve made a handful of treats that I’ll share with you.

Everyone loves chocolate, and almost everything goes good with chocolate. One of the simplest treats you can make are chocolate covered pretzels. All you’ll need is chocolate melts, pretzel rods or regular pretzels and anything you want to use to decorate them; I used white chocolate. All you need to do is melt the chocolate in either the microwave – mixing it every 30 seconds – or in a double boiler. Once you have your chocolate melted you want to dip your pretzels in it and set them on a cookie sheet covered in either wax paper or aluminum foil. If you choose to decorate your pretzels, you can add sprinkles or white chocolate to create stripes, but remember that you want to do it before the chocolate completely dries. I think these are the easiest and quickest treats you can make.

Something else you can make is Christmas tree Rice Krispy treats. They take a little more time but the end result is worth it. You’ll need the rice cereal, marshmallows, butter and green food coloring. First you need to melt your butter on the stove, and once the butter is completely melted you want to add your marshmallows and mix it until the marshmallows have been completely mixed in. Then, add the green food coloring and take the mixture off the stove. Start adding the cereal to the marshmallow mix and mix until well combined. Let it cool a little, but not too much, and then put a little bit of butter on your hands and start forming the mix into the trees. If you want a little extra something, you can add red M&M’S to act as ornaments. Let them cool for about an hour, or less if you put them in the fridge.

These are just a couple of the treats you can make for the holidays, and if you wrap them up in a cute bag and twist tie, or a Christmas box, you can also give them as a little present.

Links to the full recipes with measurement :

http://www.rachelcooks.com/2015/12/16/easy-christmas-tree-rice-krispie-treats-recipe/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/chocolate-covered-pretzels-with-sprinkles-recipe2.html

Skiing is a hobby popular all across the globe. With Colorado bringing in $4.8 billion annually from skiing, the skiing industry is big and is only growing. Today, I will be continuing my discussion of what I think are the best ski resorts in the U.S, covering every region (#5-1).

5. Vail

Vail is one of the most known skiing resorts in the U.S, being the key destination for tourists and out of towners. However, it deserves this reputation, because of its land area and terrain suitable for those of all ages and skill levels. When someone thinks of a ski resort, they likely think of Vail, due to its vicinity to Denver and accessibility to all types of skiers and snowboarders.

4. Alta/Snowbird

Located in the Wasatch Range in Utah; Alta and Snowbird are in the same valley. What’s special about Alta, however, is that it does not permit snowboarders to ride on their runs. This is one of the only resorts to have a rule like this, and has been the target of much dispute from snowboarders and lawyers alike. These mountains host some of the most famous skiers and terrain, attracting expert skiers to see how they can contend with it’s dangerous slopes.

3. Big Sky

Being the largest ski resort in the U.S, this resort has no shortage of runs for everyone. From some of the steepest runs in the whole country, to the mellowest of slopes perfect for a young child to learn on.

2. Squaw Valley

Squaw Valley is full of skiing and snowboarding history. Located on the California side of Lake Tahoe, it’s one of the most well known and visited ski resorts in the United states. It has some of the biggest cliffs, the steepest runs, and the famous skiers. Skiing legend and adrenaline junkie Shane McConkey called it home as well as many other amazing skiers.

1. Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is my personal favorite ski resort in the U.S by far. I’ve never visited, but it has the the best terrain for an avid skier such as myself in the world. Having the runs like Corbet’s Couloir, the steepest run in the US, makes it what it is.

Skiing is a hobby popular all across the globe. With Colorado bringing in $4.8 billion annually from skiing, the skiing industry is big and is only growing. Today, I will be discussing what I think are the best ski resorts in the U.S, covering every region (#10-6). 

10. Mount Bohemia

Mount Bohemia, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is not known for the land it covers, or its wide access to land. It’s known for its steep runs, backcountry territory, and the legendary bus that brings you back to the base. It may not compare to some of the resorts out west, but it’s the best of the best in the midwest.

9. Stowe

Stowe is located in the northern part of Vermont, and boasts a vertical drop of 2,360 feet. Vertical drop is from the base of the mountain to the top. This number is comparable to those out west, and averaging 314 inches of snow every year makes this a prime place to ski.

8.  Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs is located in Colorado, and is a very famous skiing destination, with around 100,000 visitors every ski season. Known for its famous tree skiing, Champagne Powder, and family friendly accommodations, Steamboat is great for the old or the young, and anywhere in between.

7. Aspen

Aspen is also located in Colorado, but what is special about it is that it is 3 mountains in 1, providing a huge number of runs compared to other ski mountains in the area. A great choice for beginners as well, with one of the mountains devoted to mellower runs that are great for learning.

6. Silverton

Silverton is different than any other skiing resort in the U.S. With only one actual chairlift, it isn’t easy to access a lot of the terrain. Most of the good terrain requires hiking, bus ride, or a helicopter – depending on your budget. Silverton is a bad place for beginners and intermediates, and only really worth your time if you consider yourself an expert.