Nutcracker in a Shell - All Jazzed Up

I just returned from taking my Daisy Girl Scout troop (ages 6 and 7) to see a shortened, jazzed up version of the Nutcracker Suite.  This show incorporated jazz, tap, modern, hip hop and ballet and was presented by The Institute of Performing Arts for Youth.

I chose this particular version because of the notarious lack of attention span that first grade girls have... but I wanted to expose them to this classic tale, as well as to different styles of dance.   It was perfect!  The show kept the attention of my squirmy little girls and inspired them to twirl their way home "ohhhh" ing and "ahhh" ing over the costumes and her own dreams of being a star ballerina that is whisked away by her very own prince. 

In fact, as I write this, my own little girl has (after being forced out of her holiday gown) dressed herself in a pale pink ballet outfit and black dress shoes and is prancing and twirling about like a ballerina, intermingled with the tapping of her feet; like an (almost) professional dancer.

The costumes and scenery at the show were fabulous.  The dancing was wonderful.  The afternoon was magical!  In fact, when I was little, I dreamt of one day having a little girl with whom I could share magical experiences like this.  Indeed, experiencing this performance with all my Daisies (including, but not limited to my daughter) completely fulfilled the expectations of that fantasy.

It's not too late for you to have such an experience!  You can catch tomorrow's show at 3:00 at Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia.  For more information, check out this web site: http://www.ipayouth.org/nutcracker.html   You can buy tickets at the door for $12 per adult; $8 per child.

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Check out the picture of my Daisies each striking their very best dance pose at the "Spartan Head"! 

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More Recipes with Girl Scout Cookies

In prior posts I have added links for recipes made with the most popular Girl Scout cookies offered, including Samoas (aka Caramel deLites), Thin Mints, Tagalongs (aka Peanut Butter Patties), Do-Si-Dos (aka Peanut Butter Sandwiches) and the traditional Trefoil (aka Shortbread) cookies. 

There are a few other recipes I wanted to share with you that caught my attention while doing research for these posts:

Lemon Chalet Cremes:  Lemon Out of Site Delight - a Lemon pie that sounds delightful

Dulche de Leche: Dulche de Leche & Chocolate Delight

Thanks A Lots (sadly, our area doesn't offer this cookie, but I liked the recipe): Thanks-A-Lot Chocolate Eclair

You'll notice themes with many of the recipes:

Plainer cookies (like Trefoils, ThanksALots, Thank U Berry Munches) can be crushed and made into a pie crust, and then by adding a complimentary ice cream (soften it in your microwave first and then spread into the pie and re-freeze) or pudding (follow pie filling recipe) or cheesecake.  Then add some garnish like fruit, cookies or whip cream.

Fancier (like Samoas) cookies can be crushed and put into pudding with other favorite additives and served as delightful treats.

I also found some recipes intriguing - like the shrimp prepared with a recipe using Samoas, or the Do-Si-Do Chicken, and my favorite, the Thank U Berry Munch salad.

So, get creative with your cookies this year - buy an extra box or two, just to see what you can invent!  Then, submit the recipe to me (must be original), and I will post it and circulate it through the GS community, and your first box the next year is on me!

Remember, if you are in the Loudoun or Dulles area and would like to purchase GS cookies, we'd like to have your order!  Click here to find out how to place your order!

MARCH UPDATE:  Oh!  A new site offering recipes with GS Cookies... try these out (CLICK HERE)

LAST CALL!  We're placing final orders for GS cookies.  Email me TODAY with your order!