Surprisingly Easy Sponge Toffee Recipe–Dairy Free

One day my husband suggested we try to make sponge toffee (think the inside of a crunchie bar. Neither of us had much experience making candy and we expected the process to be difficult.

Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s easy and quick to make and dairy free to boot. It’s also a pretty impressive looking science experiment to do with the kids. The candy is too hot for little kids to help with during the reaction, but older kids will love helping and younger kids will still be impressed.

Sponge Toffee Recipe

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup corn syrup
• 1/3 cup water
• 4 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Grease and line a metal cake pan we used wax paper, but greased parchment paper is often recommended. (Do not be tempted to use a glass pan, you want something that has some bend to it).
2. Get your baking soda and vanilla ready.
3. Stir sugar, corn syrup and water in a 12 cup pot over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
4. Put in a candy thermometer. Do not stir while you wait for it to come to a boil.
5. When the temperature reaches 300F (hard crack stage) remove it from heat.
6. Quickly whisk in the baking soda. This will cause the mixture to bubble up (you’ll want your kids who are not actively helping to stay back – it’s hot!)
7. Whisk in the vanilla.
8. Immediately pour into the prepared pan. Let it cool in the pan for about 2 hours. The mixture may be kind of uneven on top but resist the urge to smooth it out, that will pop the air bubbles.
9. Break it into pieces and enjoy!

How to Take Photos of Kids in Front of the Christmas Tree

Taking great pictures of your kids by the Christmas tree can be challenging. This week I tried to figure out how to take better pictures of my kids in front of our Christmas tree. I’ve put together some tips and things to try to get the kind of photos you want.

1. Turn off Your Camera’s Flash

No matter what kind of camera you have, and what your lighting conditions are, nothing will take the magic out of your Christmas tree photos more than using your camera’s built in flash.

2. Pay attention to the Background and Foreground of your Photo

No matter how good your photo is, it’s still going to look like crap if there’s a bunch of junk cluttering it up. (Like in the photo above…)

At least clear a path.

3. Practice First With a Doll or Stuffed Animal

Stuffed animals are much more patient subjects than children. Be sure that you have an idea of what you want to do before you involve your kids. You’re probably still going to have to make some adjustments. Kids move around a lot more than inanimate objects so you may have to increase your ISO and reduce your shutter speed (more on that on point 10) but at least you’ll have a starting point.

You’re going to have a limited timeframe so you might as well make them count.

4. Keep Your Camera Steady

Unless your room is really well lit, you’re probably going to be dealing with a lower light setting. To get a good exposure you’re likely going to have to use longer shutter speeds (so your camera takes a longer time to take the picture) This is going to make it important to keep your camera steady so that you’re not getting movement from camera shake. If you do capture any movement, it’s better for it to be because your kid is moving not you.

If you have one, you can use a tripod, but you can also use the ground, a stack of books, a table etc. You may also want to consider a remote for your camera (surprisingly affordable) or the timer on your camera (probably only useful if you can get your kids to stay still-ish).

I’m pretty sure that tree is not actually moving.

5. Shoot Low to the Ground

If you have small kids you may even want to lie on the ground to get a better angle.

6. Put Your Kid a Few Feet in Front of the Tree

It’s natural to want to put your kid right in front of the tree but you’ll typically have better shots if you move them a few feet away. You’ll be able to see more of the lights on your tree and you’ll be able to manipulate the aperture to blur the background if you want to.

7. Stand Back and Zoom in

Another good strategy is to also increase the distance between you and your child. If you’re farther away, you’ll be able to zoom in which will blur the background which is great for portraits and give the Christmas lights a pretty look.

8. Use Something to Help Keep your Kid From Moving Around

This is important for two reasons – 1. to keep the tree in the background and 2. to reduce motion blur. For older kids, bribery can be a good tactic,, younger kids may benefit from a mark on the floor for where you want them to be. For babies, your best best is going to be an unfamiliar object that you don’t mind being in your shots.

This tree was the perfect distraction.

9. Try to Light up Your Kid’s Face

Depending on the lighting in your house and how much your kids move around, you may want more light to get a good shot. One thing you can try is getting some natural light on your kids face. I tried this below, but my tree is too big for me to move around and my window is right beside the tree making it difficult to get the tree in the background and the sunlight on my child’s face.


This does give a interesting look.

The other option, and the one that will give you the most consistent success, is to use an external flash with the flash pointed at a wall or ceiling. This will light up your child without taking away the beauty of your tree.

 
Taken with external flash pointed at the wall.

10. Pick Your Camera Settings

Using the above strategies, you may be able to get great pictures just putting your camera on the no flash setting.

If you have a DSLR and want to play around here’s what I found helpful:

1. Set your camera to Shutter priority. This will let you manipulate how long light is allowed to hit the sensor. A longer shutter speed will tend to make your christmas lights look prettier but it will also capture more movement from your kids.
2. Set your ISO and shutter speed. You want as low an ISO as you can get away with and the longest shutter speed.
3. You’ll probably want to start with an ISO of at least 400 and may need to bump it up to upwards of 1600 if your kid is moving around a lot.
4. Start with a shutter speed of about 1/2 a second. If you’re getting good pictures try lengthening the shutter speed, if you are getting blurry pictures decrease it.
5. Play around with the ISO and shutter speed settings. Increasing the ISO will allow you to use a longer exposure (longer shutter speed). (For more depth on how these are inter-related you can see my post on How to choose what professional mode to use).

It’s not the sharpest image but at least she’s not blurry. Here I had to bump up the ISO to 1600 to get a good image.

A few more of my favorite shots:

Not what I was trying to do, but kind of interesting.

 

Note: Aside from cropping the above images were not digitally manipulated.

Sources used for this article:

http://www.augustteaphotography.com/taking-pictures-of-your-christmas-tree/

http://www.sarahcblog.com/2011/11/how-to-photograph-kids-in-front-of-the-christmas-tree/

http://faithfulstepsphotography.blogspot.ca/2011/12/photographing-kids-in-in-front-of.html

http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2008/12/04/photo-tip-christmas-tree-pics/

6 Bedtime Adventure Books: Top Kids Books Tested

Some of the most beloved children’s books feature kids who have adventures at bedtime. Although not bedtime books that lull kids into sleep, they do give going to bed seem a little bit magical – like anything could happen. We tried out 6 books that were listed in at least one top 100 kids books lists (you can find the list at the bottom of the post).

1. Where The Wild Things Are
 
The story of a boy who being so wild, his mother sent him to bed without supper, went on a wild adventure and then decided that perhaps home wasn’t so bad after all. This book ends up near the top of many lists of great kids books and it’s on our as well. Gordie and I have loved reading this book together. It’s a strange little book but the idea of being ‘king of the wild things’ instead of scared of the monsters is captivating.

2. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

This book is a little wordier than the others on this list. All the food for the citizens of Chewandswallow come raining down from the sky which is a great system until the food starts becoming more than the town can handle. This book is ridiculously silly and will be loved by preschoolers and younger school children. This book was a little long for Gordie (aged 3) but we still recommend it.

3. Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold goes on an imaginative adventure armed with his purple crayon to help him on his way. The drawings in this book are simple but captivating. I originally found this book by looking at top 100 kids books lists. I have loved reading this book to Gordie and he loves hearing it again and again. This book inspired him to try to draw his own crayon adventures.

4. In The Night Kitchen
 

A truly strange little book like a dream come to life, this book features Mickey who goes on a fantastic adventure in the Night Kitchen. I found this book to be a little too ridiculous for me but Gordie was kind of captivated and asked me to read it a few times.

5. Owl Moon

Unlike the other books we reviewed this week, this book features a real adventure that takes place at what would normally be bed time. This book has a lovely rhythm and tells the story of a father and child going out owling (owl spotting). This is a nice little story but not gripping for my 3 year old boy.

6. There's a Nightmare in My Closet

The story of a boy who have a monster in his closet. When he confronts the monster, it starts to cry and the boy ends up bringing him into bed with him. This is a kind of cute story to read your kid if they are having trouble going to sleep at night because of nightmares and monsters. It turns the idea of the scary monster upside down and may help your kid feel a little less scared. Gordie thought this books was kind of interesting and it wasn’t a long read, but I didn’t really like the illustrations.

 

Our Favorite Tried and Tested Books Preschool Bedtime Books :

1. Where The Wild Things Are
2. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
3. Harold and the Purple Crayon

Book Lists

Children’s Book Guide top 100 Children’s Books:
Where the Wild Things Are, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Harold and the Purple Crayon, In The Night Kitchen

Babble’s top 100 kids books:
None!

Teachers First 100 Best Books:
Where the Wild Things Are
Kern Country Library 100 Picture Books Every Child Should Know:
Where the Wild Things Are, Harold and the Purple Crayon, There's a Nightmare in My Closet

New York Public Library 100 Picture Books Every Child Should Know:
Where the Wild Things Are, Harold and the Purple Crayon, Owl Moon

Goodreads Best Children’s Books (top 300):
Where the Wild Things Are, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Harold and the Purple Crayon, In The Night Kitchen, Owl Moon

How to Take Better Photos With Santa (and How Not to)

Even though my oldest is only 3, I have quite a bit of experience taking small kids to see Santa. Partly for my blog post where I talk about what it’s like to take photos with Santa at different  malls in Calgary and partly because I think it is just plain fun. My friends and family have kindly supplied me with some photos to round out my own to help you get better photos with Santa this year.

1. Prepare Your Kids Ahead of Time

Read your kids stories about Santa, show them movies with Santa (if you can find one with their favorite character, even better) and show your kids pictures of them or other family members with Santa to familiarize them.

Unless the photos looked like this.

It can also be worthwhile to seek out a Santa that is more natural looking and inline with their expectations.

If you wouldn't sit on that lap, why would you put your child on it?

2. Dress for the Occasion

Even if you’re going to get a free photo, consider what your kids are wearing.

This shirt of Gordie’s is really cute, but doesn’t look great in a Christmas photo.

This may be going a little too far.

At the very least, take off your kids’ coats!

You may also want to consider what you’re wearing that day… just in case.

If you look closely you can see Santa at the back.

3. Use a Partner

Especially if you are taking the photos yourself, bring someone with you so they can help you position and distract the kids to help keep them from freaking out.

Freaking out.

4. Try Backing In

If you have a really little kid, try holding them facing you and backing them into Santa, keeping their attention on you. Then back away and quickly take the picture.

Sometimes this works.


Sometimes, not so much

5. Time it Right

Arrive a bit early so your kids can see Santa from a distance before it’s their turn. Make sure they are not tired or hungry. Bring a snack just in case. Weekday mornings and evenings are usually quieter time to visit. Whatever you do, don’t go when your child would normally be napping.

Not a good time.

6. Give Them Some Moral Support

Having a friend, sibling or even a favorite toy may be all your kid needs to feel comfortable and stay focused.

Worked like a charm.

7. Be Flexible

You may be able to get a better picture by not trying to force a smile.

That’s a pretty cute pout.

You may also want to consider letting your kids stand beside Santa instead of on his lap.

Santa may be holding him back, but they are all in the picture.

8. Make use of Some Photography Tips

If you are taking the photo yourself, try setting the white balance to match the lighting (florescent or incandescent bulbs). Or you can adjust that on your computer afterwards.

Was 1982 really this yellow?

If the room isn’t very bright, bump up the ISO and hold the camera steady (close to your body, try to kneel or set the camera on something to use as a makeshift tripod). Also double check that your camera is focusing on your child instead of the background.

That tree looks great!

Position yourself so you can see your child’s face even if they are not looking directly at you.

Candid shots often show your child at their best.

Don’t forget to take multiple pictures.

So this isn’t the only photo you go home with.

9. Try Again

If your child is hesitant to see Santa the first time, don’t be afraid to go back (again) later in the day or on another day all together.

 
The first try.

Again after lunch.

10. If All Else Fails…

You can always take a family photo near Santa instead. Most malls have a Christmas display that would make a great backdrop.

This is the best ‘Santa’ photo this family has taken.

Or you could just take a picture of Santa!

Even if Santa looks a little confused.

11. Laugh it Off

Sometimes, even if you end up with a picture that wasn’t what you wanted, it can still end up being a treasured part of your family history.

That year’s Christmas card

As funny as some of these photos are, I hope this post helps your family get great photos with Santa this year. And if your pictures don’t go as planned you can always send them to me for next year’s post.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Dana Wheatley

What are your tips for taking better photos with Santa?

If you have a not-so-good photo with Santa you’d like to share, you can e-mail it to talkinginallcaps@gmail.com.

Are you from Calgary? Check out my website about the best indoor and outdoor places to take your kids –> http://www.calgaryplaygroundreview.com

Photos used with permission