Don’t melt your bunnies.

I had been dating my then-boyfriend, now husband, for a few months when we were visiting his mother Easter weekend.

Wanting to surprise him with a chocolate rabbit, I hid one under the seat in the car. We arrived on a Friday night, and Easter morning I went to the car to retrieve the chocolate bunny.

Only, the bunny was indistinguishable and had been reduced to a melted mess within the box. Thus, my advice: Don’t melt your bunnies.

Momma bunnies and Daddy bunnies, and even the Easter bunny, need to realize the temperature in the car is still warm enough to melt those delicious chocolate treats.

More advice? Yes, lip balm melts.

(My apologies to Mishelleen for spilling a glob on her car seat when she was taking me to the doctor.)

And, of course, there are those pesky crayons. It was on a month-long family vacation to the west coast that taught my sister and I about how laying a box of Crayola crayons on the dashboard would only send colored streams of melted wax into our dad’s pickup vents.

Dad wasn’t mad, and the hollowed out paper cylinders where crayons used to be was pretty cool.

–Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

The program is open to youth ages 6 to 18 who have not yet graduated high school.

More than $425,000 will be awarded to 2,300 student volunteers during 2013, according to a Kohl’s Cares news release.

Go to the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program website for more information or to nominate a deserving student.

I had wanted one for a long time, since none of my previous blenders had actually really worked well. They’re supposed to blend, right?

For whatever reason, though, the Ninja still sat in its box for some time, waiting patiently, stealthily in a corner, for me to get up the nerve to use it. (I guess I was afraid it wouldn’t work as well as I had thought.)

The day finally came when I broke the tape, pulled off the plastic wrapping, dumped out the instructions, washed the blender parts and placed it on my kitchen countertop.

Now, it’s smooth sailing … or should I say smoothie sailing.

So far, the most popular drinks have been banana-strawberry smoothies, banana smoothies, banana-peach smoothies, chocolate-banana smoothies, strawberry-blueberry smoothies … I feel a little like Forrest Gump with my descriptions.

Needless to say, I haven’t branched out much, although I did make hummus once.

I do feel good about the kids eating more fruit, though.

No, this is not a product review or sponsored by Ninja. I just wanted this blender, because I thought it would be a good tool for the kitchen. And, I was right.

Other appliances have been useful, but beyond the toaster, KitchenAid mixer and the Keurig coffee maker (yes, another splurge), most of my small appliances are lined up along the top of my tall cabinets. Every once in a while, I’ll retrieve one to use, but these three (plus the Ninja!) are my go-to tools.

Here is how I generally make a strawberry-banana smoothie:

3 or 4 large strawberries

1 large banana

1/4 cup white grape juice

1/2 container of strawberry/banana Yoplait yogurt

4 ice cubes

Blend on high, and voila! Smoothie time!

Here are a few random links to other, perhaps even more legitimate smoothie recipes if you want to get on the smoothie kick:

Strawberry Peach Smoothie

50 Smoothies

Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie

–Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

My daughter and I have been on a quest to find the best-tasting gluten-free / dairy-free foods. These adventures in food would sometimes be followed with disappointment, and the pantry and refrigerator would be filled with uneaten packages of cookies, loaves of bread, canned soups and prepackaged meals.

My daughter was discouraged by the taste. I was discouraged by the amount of money I was spending.

Other complaints were the breads were either not soft or that they would crumble when they came in contact with food.

Enter Canyon Bakehouse.

I was skeptical when I was contacted about trying Canyon Bakehouse bread products.

But what a surprise!

The breads were soft and had a very similar texture of normal breads. When I brought home the samples for my daughter to try, it was somewhat of a celebration.

I gave her slices of the 7-Grain, Cinnamon Raisin, and Rosemary & Thyme breads.

Her favorite quickly became the 7-Grain bread since it was versatile for sandwiches and toast.

If you’re a Cinnamon Raisin bread fan, you should try this bread, too. The only note I would make is that it is not as sweet as some raisin breads.

And, I would compare the Rosemary & Thyme bread to the popular bread served at Bravo! Cucina Italiana restaurant.

But the most exciting discovery of all was when my daughter later tried Canyon Bakehouse Hamburger Buns.

Eureka! They did it!

If you have been searching for a perfect gluten-free/dairy-free bun, this is it. She tried a hamburger patty as well as barbecued pork … and the bun held up … and tasted good.

The only downside to this quest? The bread is gone, and I need to find it in my local stores.

So, if you would like to join me on my next adventure, go here to find where you can try these breads.

–Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

IHOP offers free shortstack of pancakes and encourages guests to donate to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Fluffy, steaming hot, melted butter, warm syrup … ahhhhh, Pancakes!

Whether you enjoy them in the morning, at noon or at night, this delicious “breakfast” meal can satisfy any time of day. And, you soon will have a chance to fill your stomach and warm your heart at the same time.

Participating IHOP restaurants will be offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb. 5.

Instead of charging customers for the flapjacks, IHOP is asking patrons to leave a donation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals programs at Children’s Hospital Foundation.

To learn more about “National Pancake Day,” find a participating IHOP or to donate online, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/.

– Linda Lynn
LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

Just in time for Halloween, you can win a KIDZ BOP Halloween Hits CD!

The “Truly Terrifying Tracklist” includes “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” “Monster Mash” and more.

“Witch Doctor” will help your kids get their silly on, and “I Want Candy” is so appropriate for when they dump out their candy on the living room floor.

If you would like a chance at winning a free copy of this CD, just email me at LLynn@opubco.com, and I will draw a name at random on Oct. 24.

Please include your name and mailing address, as well as a contact phone number.

–Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

Cade was 2 months old when he, my two girls and I went to his first movie.

My plan after Cade’s birth was to be able to spend some quality family time with all my children during maternity leave. However, after Cade was born with Down Syndrome, severe jaundice and erratic blood counts, he and I spent a lot of time going to and from the hospital and doctor’s visits the first two months.

That first movie was the most calm experience, with Cade sleeping most of the time and not making a sound. Thankfully, my daughters and I were able to enjoy going to the movies and reclaim a little normalcy.

But that was the last time we were able to do that type of activity with Cade. 

As he got a little older, he would cry continuously if a room became unexpectedly dark or sounds were loud. Car rides at night were not pleasant, and movies were completely out of the question.

When Cade was 6, my youngest daughter and I took him to see a children’s movie. Everything seemed fine … until the lights dimmed and the previews started. Why oh why did they have a loud and scary preview?

I stepped to the hallway, calmed him, and he fell asleep, probably from the stress of the moment. We were able to watch the rest of the movie peacefully, at least until he woke up in the last 5 minutes of the movie.

Out of respect for other moviegoers and for Cade’s (and our) sake, we haven’t tried this again.

But is there hope, perhaps? While Googling for area attractions and shopping in Arlington, TX, I discovered one of the movie theaters has “Sensory Friendly Films” where the lights are on, the sound is turned down and the audience can move about. The website states this environment was created in partnership with the Autism Society, but this also can be beneficial to other special needs children.

Imagine my excitement that these types of needs are being recognized and a business is providing families with access to entertainment that otherwise would be clearly difficult to enjoy together as a family.

Continuing my search, I discovered “Sensory Friendly Films” are also available at these Oklahoma locations:

- Quail Springs 24

- Crossroads 16

Click here for the website that tells more about locations nationwide participating in this program. However, be sure and contact individual theaters to confirm time and dates, since they are subject to change.

My only wish now is that this program will be expanded beyond once a month.

It’s definitely something my son and I will plan to attend.

– Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

It was going to be “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,”  followed by “Pretty Little Liars.”

When my daughters first started watching some of the popular teen-oriented shows, I wondered about the content of such shows. It seems like only yesterday they were immersed in shows like “Hannah Montana,” “Rugrats” and “That’s so Raven.”

I would occasionally hear a conversation about the shows, but I was an outsider. And, I had no interest in watching either of the series. How could I possibly get interested in them?

One night, however, I sat down with my oldest daughter, Katie, and watched both “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “Pretty Little Liars.” I was hooked! Not on “Secret Life” as much, but “Pretty Little Liars” became one of my must-see shows.

So, after I hurriedly finished in the kitchen last night, I settled in next to my girls on the couch. We finished the finale of “Secret Life” and then started “Liars,” a show all three of us had been anticipating.

But this isn’t just a blog about my television viewing habits. I have many more favorites: “NCIS,” “Longmire,” “Covert Affairs,” “Psych” …

It’s about the benefits of watching television with your children. When they were watching “American Idol” a couple of seasons ago, I would sit with them then on occasion.

I’ve enjoyed watching the shows. But I also enjoy listening to what Katie and Kaci have to say about the actors, characters, plots. I love to hear their opinions and their analysis of what the backstory really is when you’re unsure of where the storyline will go next.

They might get a little annoyed if I ask a question about Emily or Jenna or Toby or why they did what in the middle of a scene. … But, that’s OK. I can learn more just by watching … and listening later to what they have to say.

– Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch

What are you planning to do Sept. 29?

Go to a museum, of course!

Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Live! is an opportunity for two of your family members to visit a local museum for free.

Just click here to sign up for two free tickets to visit a participating museum anywhere across the nation. If you know you’re going to be in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29, you could print your tickets now and visit a Smithsonian Museum!

No worries if you’re going to be in Oklahoma, though. There are several state museums participating in this fun event:

- Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, Duncan

- Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman

- Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa

- Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, Shawnee

- Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

- Pawnee Bill Ranch & Museum, Pawnee

- Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa

- Philip Foster Farm National Historic Site, Eagle Creek

- Sam Noble Museum, Norman

- Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City

- Three Rivers Museum, Muskogee

- Tulsa Historical Society & Museum, Tulsa

- Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore

This opportunity will allow you to enjoy your favorite museum or explore one you’ve never visited.

It’s easy to print your tickets. I just did!

So, see you at the museum!

- Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

Follow me on Twitter: @OKNewsResearch