Cooking With Kids

Shena Leonard Homemade Vanilla

Homemade Vanilla Extract, and a Lesson in Patience (=

The kiddo and I are making homemade Vanilla Extract. (= Super simple recipe: Add 25 whole vanilla beans (cut into 1/2″ pieces) to a bottle of vodka. Put an adorable label on it. Shake once a day for 2-3 months and it’ll be ready.   It’s a lesson in
Read More
I was going through scans from some of the Family Cookbook art we've done, and I came across this painting we did to use with a Buttercream Frosting recipe. Since it also happens to be a friend's birthday today, I decided to turn it into a fun Happy Birthday image to post on Facebook. (=

Happy Birthday!

I was going through scans from some of the Family Cookbook art we’ve done, and I came across this painting I did to use with a Buttercream Frosting recipe. Since it also happens to be a friend’s birthday today, I decided to turn it into a fun Happy Birthday image to
Read More
Recipes for Whole Wheat Multigrain Pizza Crust and delicious Tomato Basil Pizza.

Whole Wheat Multigrain Pizza Crust

This crust takes more time than our Super Easy Pizza Dough Recipe, but the taste is definitely worth the wait! (= Whole Wheat Multigrain Pizza Crust Prep & Raise Time approximately 40 minutes, 30 minutes for raising Bake Pizza at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. 1 cup warm
Read More

Whole Grain Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Bake at 375 degrees for 12-16 minutes. Makes approximately 24 muffins   Mix together well: 6 very ripe bananas 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla Add in: 6 Tablespoons butter, melted 1/3 cup coconut oil, liquid (Note: Coconut oil varies between liquid and solid state depending on the
Read More
Spice Drawer Organization. (=

Spice Drawer Organization

A few years ago I put my youngest in charge of organizing the Spice Drawer — and he does an awesome job! He labels the tops of the spices and arranges them for me. He learns a lot about spices this way, and it was good writing practice when he was little. Not to mention, he
Read More
Muffin Making Madness -- Tips & Tricks to Enjoy Healthy Snacks Whenever You Want, Without Spending All of Your Time in the Kitchen (= www.ShenaLeonard.com: Messy Table, Creative House

Muffin Making Madness — Tips & Tricks to Enjoy Healthy Snacks Whenever You Want, Without Spending All of Your Time in the Kitchen (=

Riley decided a few years ago that he wanted to bring muffins to school EVERY day for his snack. (I think because he liked the super-cool little cupcake/muffin container he had to bring them in.) Since I knew I wouldn’t have time to make muffins every night I decided to d
Read More
These really are the BEST Banana Muffins ever! (= www.ShenaLeonard.com: Messy Table, Creative House

Best Ever Banana Muffins

Bake at 375 degrees for 14-18 minutes. Makes 24 muffins. Crumble Topping 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes   Muffins Mix together well: 6 very ripe bananas 2 eggs 1/3 cup butter, melted 1/3 cup unsweetened
Read More
The boys LOVE these Blueberry Crumble Muffins – and they are healthy too! (= www.ShenaLeonard.com: Messy Table, Creative House

Nummy (& Healthy) Blueberry Crumble Muffins

  Bake at 400 degrees for 13-18 minutes. Makes 24 muffins.  Crumble Topping ½ cup sugar 1/3 cup flour 2 teaspoons cinnamon 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes Muffins Mix together well: ¼ cup oil ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce 2 eggs 2/3 cup milk Mix together and
Read More
Check out our EASY & Delicious Homemade Pizza Recipe –it’s perfect for your next Family Movie & Pizza Night. (= www.ShenaLeonard.com: Messy Table, Creative House

Homemade Pizza, with Delicious (& EASY!) Pizza Dough Recipe

We LOVE to make pizza at our house (especially if we’re having a Family Movie Night) and with this easy Pizza Dough Recipe it doesn’t even take too long to make.  Often times I’ll mix up a batch of pizza dough and turn it into 4 mini pizzas so everyone in the family can make
Read More
www.ShenaLeonard.com Messy Table, Creative House As an anonymous Kindergarten Teacher so aptly put it, “A Messy Table is a sign of a Happy and Creative household.” We couldn’t agree more! Check out all of the fun project ideas, recipes, reviews, and other things that keep our table looking well-loved every day. (=

Best. Cake. Ever. And easy to make too!! (=

Sorry for the poor quality phone photo…. but you can still see the yumminess…. This is seriously one of the best (maybe even THE best) cake I have ever eaten! It was really easy to make too – especially since my mom and Cabot made it and all I had to do was eat
Read More