Free family events in December

 - this post wil get updated as news of more free events tick in -

Dec 2:  KringleFest at Stearns History Museum

Do a craft, have a cookie and see two new exhibits;  Memories in Miniature and Art from Earth From Above.  Bring your camera for a photo op with Santa as he takes wish lists in front of the Museum Library fireplace.
To be fair, this event is only free if you're a member of the museum.  Otherwise, the admission is $5 per adult and $2 per child.  The museum's well-equipped playroom is where we have gone so often for chat'n'plays.  In October, the museum put on a well-organized Halloween party.  It might get crowded for their Christmas event.
Read another parent's review of the museum here.
Place: Stearns History Museum, 235 South 33rd Avenue, St. Cloud, MN  56301
Time: December 2, 1-3 pm.

Christmas with the Choirboys - 37th Annual Chritmas Concer

"Christmas with the Choirboys" will feature all of the choirs of the Land of Lakes Choirboys, as well as the Festival Community Orchestra. A bake sale will also be running before and after the program as well to help raise funds for the boys' programming.
Freewill Donation will be collected
Time: December 7, 7pm
Place: St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 566 4th Street Northwest, Elk River, MN 55330

November Potluck: Thanksgiving with a twist

What would you put on the table at the Thanksgiving dinner if it was only up to you and your own tastes?  Well, turns out members wanted a 1:1 ratio of savory and dessert!

Mary W provided the "bird" and a wide variety of accompaniments made for a mouth-watering dinner for all.  Here are the recipes that have ticked in so far.

Cherry Chipotle Turkey Breast - Mary W.

Dum Aloo (Potato Curry) - Katie
I did add 2 T. of chopped cilantro because I saw it in another recipe and I love cilantro.


Wild Rice Stuffing - Mandy

Roasted Asparagus - Laura N.

Blackberry Crumble - Laura W.

I use a food processor for the crumble & it's not so messy.

Fancy Ham Cheese Sliders - Laura B.

2 dozen dollar buns
Fill with deli ham and swiss cheese.
Place in 2 (9x13) cake pans.

Melt: 1 cup butter
Add: 2 T mustard, 1 T Worcestershire Sauce, 2 T poppy seed, 4 T brown sugar
Mix well and pour over buns.

Cover with foil and refrigerate over night. Bake covered with foil at 325 degrees for
25 minutes and remove foil and bake 5 more minutes.

Lime Coconut Sweet Potato Dish - Jen

• 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 5), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• ** OR I took the large can of sweet potatoes that's already cooked and ready to move on to step 2!
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest plus 2 teaspoons juice
• 1 1/4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 2 tablespoons sweetened shredded coconut

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large pot, cover sweet potatoes with cold salted water by 1 inch and bring to a boil. Reduce to a rapid simmer and cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
2. Drain potatoes in a colander and let sit 5 minutes, then transfer to a food processor/immersion blender with the lime juice and zest and process until smooth. Add coconut milk slowly to get desired texture; process until combined. Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. Top with marshmallows and coconut and bake until toasted and golden, about 15 minutes.

Free family events in November - UPDATE

 - the event posts are updated as event notifications tick in - stay tuned -

November 13: Now showing... BRAVE at St Cloud Public Library

Watch Brave for free with free Kool-Aid and popcorn!
Follow the adventures of Merida, skilled archer (and headstrong daughter!) of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. It's an animated family comedy set in Scotland's rugged highlands. A strong mother-daughter story in the theme of empathy and forgiveness. Fun for all.
Time: Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Place: Saint Cloud Public Library

November 24: Flanders Recorder Quartet Family Concert

The Flanders Recorder Quartet travels with 50 recorders of all sizes - from 4 inches to 7 feet - and performs music from medieval to contemporary.  In addition to their regular concert in the evening (where they'll be playing music from Venice),  they will perform an all-ages Family Concert in the afternoon. You can bring the kids (and the grandparents) and get to meet these delightful musicians.
Time: November 24, 2012, 2:00 pm
Place: St. Cloud Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3226 Maine Prairie Road, Saint Cloud

See you there!

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November 5: The St. Cloud Municipal Band 125 Years!

The Municipal Band has been putting on free concerts since 1887.  This concert will highlight a chronological review of popular pieces performed by the St. Cloud Municipal Band since its beginning 125 years ago.  Some highlights will include several past conductors of the SCMB, plus outstanding local soloists.This is not an event geared specifically towards children, but any kid who likes music, spending time with mom and dad and who can sit still for a bit of time should be able to enjoy this.
Time: November 5, 2012 at 7:30pm
Place: Paramount Theatre, 913 West St. Germain, Saint Cloud

November 11: Passport to the World: Around the World in 100 Minutes

St. Cloud State University International Student Association really puts on an impressive variety of events, private and public.  One main, annual events that is always well-visited is the children's event Passport to the World where kids can get a whiff of foreign lands presented by a real representative of that country.  To boot, they get a play passport with visas as memorabilia.
Time: Sunday, November 11, 2012 from 4-5:40 p.m.
Place: Atwood Memorial Center Ballroom, 651 1st Avenue South, St. Cloud

Halloween at Country Manor

Every year, the Country Manor Assisted Living (Memory Care) have a little Halloween party with us and this year we were a perfect-sized crowd.  We visited, played a little and got treats.  Thank you to Country Manor for having us!

Country Manor residents visited with MOMS Club creatures of all sizes.
Thanks to Jen for pictures!