Fisher Price Friday - On Vacation

We're at the happiest place on earth.  See you next week!

Baked Parmesan Mushrooms Recipe

I am a big mushroom lover, but have not always been devoted.  As a child and up until my early 20's I couldn't stand mushrooms in all their fungi glory.  However, one day I all of a sudden "matured" (as my dad would have said) in mushrooms.  Now I can't get enough of them.  I love all kinds and served all ways.

This easy side-dish recipe is just one of the many ways that I love to eat them.  You can't go wrong with Parmesan and a little lemon juice, right?

Baked Parmesan Mushrooms
1 1/2 pounds mushroom, thinly sliced 
3 tablespoons olive oil 
Zest of 1 lemon 
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 
3 cloves garlic, minced 
2 teaspoons dried thyme 
1/4 cup grated Parmesan 
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or pan. Place mushrooms in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Add olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, thyme and Parmesan.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Gently toss to combine. Place into oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until browned and tender, tossing occasionally.  Serve right away!

I served my mushrooms with Baked Zucchini Sticks and Buttery Bread Crumb Cod.   

Fisher Price Friday - My Pretty Purse

All dressed up and ready to go out with her My Pretty Purse #128.  This child version of mommy's purse was made from 1982-1989.  I have vivid memories of playing with the lipstick tube that comes inside, so one of my friends must have had one!  It is designed for children from 3-7 years old but don't tell my 2 year old that she's too young, this is one of her favorite toys!  

This bright and colorful purse comes all over the place with us. :)

My Pretty Purse came with a key ring, lipstick tube, compact with puff and a comb.  I am missing the comb and puff but the other pieces are original.  

The compact has a mirror inside and a realistic looking "powder".  The plastic compact has a circle of flowers on the top and "Made in Hong Kong" printed on the bottom.  Inside it has a real mirror!  Ah, the 80's!  You wouldn't see that in a toy today!

 

The later version of My Pretty Purse (#2019) from the early 90s had a similar compact but in pink.

The adorable key ring is made of plastic and has a lithograph of a little girl on one side.  There are two versions, one yellow (as seen) and it can also be pink (with the same lithograph).  Attached to the key ring are two keys.  They have the FP logo on one side and are pink and yellow.

The lipstick is my daughter's favorite piece!  This amuses me since I don't even wear lipstick. :)  It has two pieces, the lid and the base with retractable lipstick, just like a real tube!  However this one is made of hard plastic and doesn't make a mess.  The top of the lipstick tube has a heart flower (heart with two leaves).

The yellow purse is made of vinyl with a white plastic handle that snaps shut.  The handle has Fisher-Price printed on it as well as flowers.  There is a cloth patch on the front with a flower, hearts and leaves.  

The piece that I am missing (besides the oval puff) is a blue plastic comb.  The comb had a flower and heart shaped leaves imprinted on it and 18 teeth.  I'm on the look out for one so let me know if you have any extras.  In the meantime my girls use their own comb and they usually stuff in other goodies like necklaces and sunglasses.

Check out my Etsy Shop, I'll have an extra purse for sale soon!

Learn Something New Every Day - Tulips

I learned an amazing fact a couple weeks ago.  Tulips keep growing after they're cut.  Yes, you read that right, they keep growing!  Perhaps you haven't been living under a rock like me and you already knew this fun fact.  When exposed to water and light (after being cut) tulips grow up and out.  

This is why they often fall over the sides of the vase after a day or so. 

Amazing.

You learn something new every day.

Day 3

Day 1

Fisher Price Friday - Phonograph

My little ones started our day playing records so I thought I'd share our toy with you today on Fisher Price Friday.  The Fisher Price Phonograph #825 was made between 1979-1989.  It is made of lightweight plastic and comes with its own built in carrying case.

The phonograph is made of a very 1970's appropriate tan, orange and beige combo.  The 1985-1989 version was a very 1980's appropriate white and blue combo.

The phonograph can play either 33 or 45 records.  You change between the speeds with a sliding switch.

We've been collecting records from antique and secondhand stores.  Not all records are equal as my girls have learned, many skip and require a little help to keep playing.

It has a volume control slide and 4 inch built in speakers for not-so-bad sound. ;)

The phonograph plays with a needle, which is the tricky part to these older toys.  The needles eventually need to be replaced and finding one can be a challenge.  Fortunately our phonograph came with a working needle!

The bottom of the case has a space to wind and store the power cord.  It also has the Fisher Price identification and toy number.

 

Happy Playing!

If you love record players you'll have to check out the Music Box Record Player #995 or the Change a Tune Carousel #170.

Kale and Lentil Soup Recipe

A couple weeks ago I was at my BFFs for lunch.  This is my Zumba 3x a week, eating gluten free, only keeps sugar in her house for me, looking amazing BFF.   She asked me if I wanted pancakes or kale lentil soup.  Hmmm, everything within me was screaming out "pancakes, buttery sweet pancakes" but since I want to be more like her I said "why the kale soup sounds great".

Hmmm.  Guess what?  It actually was!  Now I'm not saying it was as good as her gluten-free, thin, butter soaked, real maple syrup pancakes but it was good!

So good in fact that I requested the recipe and made it for my family. :)

What did my family think?  My 6 year old ate the entire bowl "without making a complaint mom".  My husband wanted to know if we were back on our eating well wagon. ;)  Yes dear we are.

Kale and Lentil Soup
Ingredients 
4 cups Vegetable Broth 
3/4 cups Red Lentils (rinsed) 
1 Carrot (cut into small pieces)
1 Onions (diced) 
1/2 bunch (or 1/2 bag) Kale (remove stem cut into small pieces) 
1 clove Garlic (sliced or minced)
salt/pepper to taste
olive oil

Directions
1. In a large pot saute the onion in a little olive oil for about 3-4 minutes.  Add the garlic and carrots and saute for another 5 minutes.
2. Add the veggie broth, lentils and kale to the pot and bring to a boil.  Let cook until the lentils are tender (about 20 min).  Salt and pepper to taste (my family likes a lot of salt!).

Enjoy!

My Social Book - Review

I have a confession to make.  I am a big fan of Facebook.

Yes it's true, I spend way too much time on there.  I use it for this blog (Anne's Odds and Ends FP Page), vintage Fisher Price collector groups, playgroups and of course my own page.  Like many other mothers I have posted photos of my children, funny things they've said or done and other random day-to-day events.  It's sort of a journal in a way.

So when I saw adds for My Social Book I pretty much ordered one right away.

What can I say, I must be their target market!

My Social Book is a book (hard back or soft) that is printed with most of what you put on your Facebook page during whatever time you select.  They include photos and the layout looks like the FB page you are used to (well used to for right now, you know FB changes constantly).  You have lots of choices about what to include or leave out.

I ordered a test book selecting the year that my youngest was born.  It came to $25.20 for a 74 page soft covered book.  That was with a 30% off promotion code.

I loved it so much that I ordered two more books!  The next books were a big bigger (211 and 202 pages) and came to $98 total.  Still softcover.

I know they're not for everyone, but I am a satisfied customer.  I plan on making a new book for each coming year.  I just hope this company is around for awhile.

Have you made one?  What did you think?

They often have promotions, check out their FB page for updates.

Sick Day

Sickness abounds in our house.  This particularly unpleasant bug has been going from person to person.  These little guy's faces pretty much sum up how we've been feeling.

As a result I'm taking a sick day from Fisher Price Friday.  Stay well and see you next week!

Cactus Bloom

We're having one of those days over here today.  My 2 year old started the day throwing up all over her bed (and self).  However, she absolutely-positively-no-way was going to take a bath or shower.  Nice.

It's been up and down since then and that includes throw-up. ;)  

However, amongst all the bleach, hand washing, hugs, snuggles and laundry I saw this beauty in my backyard.

 

Our Arizona Rainbow (aka hedgehog) cactus opened its' blooms this afternoon.  We count six which is the hedgehog's personal best. ;)  Check out the bright pink, aren't they lovely?

I like to think it's God's way of giving me a reminder of his beauty.

Here's hoping tomorrow is throw-up free!!

Fisher Price Friday - What's in my Pockets?

What's in my Pockets? A Surprise Cloth Book was made from 1971-1974.  This colorful cloth book has more than just sweet pictures; each page has an activity to practice zippers, velcro, snaps, etc.  And if that wasn't enough excitement it comes with eight plastic coins to place in each of the pockets.

There were two versions of What's in my Pockets, this "boy" version and a girl version.  The girl version is also cloth but is pink and has different text inside. The girl's version has 8 coins, but with different pictures on them.  Go here to see it closer.

The eight coins have lithographs on each one showing a different object.  They are red, yellow, blue and green.  The coins pictured include:

Green - Apple
Green - Candy (bar)
Red - Airplane
Red - Car (with sweet little vintage FP little person inside!)
Yellow - Marbles
Yellow - Watch
Blue - Acorn
Blue - Radio

The backs of the coins have the FP logo stamped inside with a texture around the letters and a raised rim.  They are unlike any of the other much thicker Fisher Price coins that came with toys.

The book is made of a heavy duty yet soft cotton material.  The fabric is colorfast which is clearly working quite well as the colors are vivid despite its 40+ years!  It is also listed as washable although I haven't been brave enough to give that a try!  The front cover recommends that it is "FOR BOYS Ages 2-6".  Both of my girls (age 2 & 6) love these books although I have to admit to being reluctant to let them play with them unless they are being supervised.  Let's just say those coins are easy to get misplaced and they are VERY difficult to replace (and cost $$$ when you do find them!!).

The book has 10 pages total, with 8 of them having the story text.  

BUTTON POCKET

The pockets on my raincoat

Are made in a special way

To keep my treasures nice and dry

When out on a rainy day.

My PATCH POCKET is just a patch

To make a handy pocket.

It can be used for many things

From marbles to a rocket.

When I stand upon my head

And throw myself about

This zipper keeps my pocket shut

Stops things from falling out.

ZIPPER POCKET

SLASH POCKET

A place to keep my favorite toy

My string and rubber bands

It's big enough to do all that

And warm my chilly hands.

This is my STICKY POCKET

It sticks so nice and tight.

Can you tell me what is in it

Find out if you are right.

This is my SNAP POCKET

It makes a happy, snappy sound

When you discover what it holds,

Tell me what you've found.

I can see it in the morning,

I can see it at bedtime too.

If my HIP POCKET was in the front,

I could look in there with you.

I have a SECRET POCKET

For things I like to hide

Can you find my secret pocket

And what it has inside?

I'll give away the secret. :)  The pocket is in the top of the page, between the cloth sides.

I have a few extra pocket coins, let me know if you are looking for any in particular!

To see the What's In My Pockets #179 (for girls) go here.