Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

Hi ladies!  Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I was hoping to hear some ideas on things you do to celebrate with your kiddos!  Do you have any fun traditions or things you do that are special?  Post a comment here and share!

Growing up, my mom would leave us a Russell Stover’s heart shaped box of chocolates on our dresser on Valentine’s Day morning.  It is one of those memories that makes me smile, and she continued to leave us little Valentine treats on our dresser even through high school.   Isn’t it funny how the littlest things can have so much meaning?   

ARTICHOKE CHICKEN
Serves 4

* 1 (15 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (I used marinated artichokes and chopped them fine.)
* 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* Pinch of garlic pepper
* 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a medium bowl, mix together the artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and a pinch of garlic pepper.  
2. Place chicken in a greased baking dish, and cover evenlly with artichoke mixture. 
3. Bake, uncovered, for 30 – 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear.   

Serve with rice and a veggie.   Easy and super yummy!

Click here for more easy recipes!

Emma and I visited this new park last week and it was worth the drive!  Not to mention the fact that I think it was 80 degrees in January.  Gotta love So Cal “winters!”   In any case, I found this park on the fabulous website, www.funorangecountyparks.com, which was formerly OC Play Parks.   The site has gotten a new name and a fabulous new look.    She features parks throughout all of Orange County, and the site now has them divided into South County Parks and North County Parks.   Don’t see your favorite one?  It’s super easy to submit, click here to send Michele your park recommendations!    

In any case, Oso Viejo Park at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo is definitely worth checking out.  The surrounding area is beautiful.  It backs up to lush scenery, and all around the park, there are cute little bench and coffee table sitting areas, picnic tables, and even a circle of brown Adirondack chairs to hang out.  Definitely a park to bring a picnic lunch to!  The play equipment is great, including two huge 3 story tunnel slide for older kids.   The sand was very fine and soft and there are clean adjacent restrooms.  

Click here for map and directions and more info.  Note: When you turn into the Norman P. Murray parking lot, you can make a left and park in those spaces.  The playground is down the little walk way once you past the restrooms.  It is just hard to see the equipment when you first turn in the lot, but you will be in the right spot.

Click here for more parks and playgrounds on Tiny Oranges!

I love this cute idea sent in from one of our Tiny Oranges readers!  When I first read the subject, I thought it was going to be an idea about having a date night with your husband.   Then, I read the idea and it is just the cutest, most special idea ever!  Pam writes:

“We just started a new tradition at our house that is a hit! Once a month my husband takes our 3 ½ year old daughter on a special date – just the two of them. She picks the place and they get “dressed up” for the big night out (for my daughter that means pink sparkly shoes and whatever other “fancy” thing she wants to wear that night). My daughter is beaming all day in anticipation for her special night out and counting down the minutes until daddy comes in from work. Picking the restaurant without having to negotiate with her brother is also a special treat. The current faves are Chili’s and Macaroni Grill and of course Golden Spoon for (a pink) dessert. I know it’s very special for both of them to be together without the siblings, or even mom, butting in on the conversation and hopefully it will help the father-daughter bond to remain strong, even through the teen years! ” – Pam, Mother of 3, Aliso Viejo

Do you have a fun idea to share?   Email me at info@tinyoranges.com and yours might be the next one featured as our guest blog!!   I love these ideas, please keep them coming!