When you think of latke (potato pancake) toppers, you think of applesauce and sour cream. Maybe there is cinnamon in the applesauce, or sugar in the sour cream, but those are the two widely accepted latke toppings.  We decided to literally "mix it up" a little this year, and at both of our Chanukah parties, we set out a variety of nouveau toppers, alongside the more traditional.  All thanks to a page right out of "Better Homes and Gardens."  We tried three of their ideas.  My favorite was the cucumber slices topped with ranch dressing and a fresh dill sprig. Ranch really does go with everything.  The cardamom apples (I used cinnamon) with yogurt were more reminiscent of the applesauce and sour cream, but were still good.  The most gourmet of the three we tried were smoked salmon, with watercress, a squeeze of lemon and ground sea salt. Tiny and her three-year-old cousin loved eating the watercress all on its own. Seriously.  ~ Parents: What innovative party foods have your tots enjoyed? ~

My friend Esther recently sent me an email cataloging her proud culinary accomplishments! New to the working-round-the-clock-at-home-mom (WRCHM) world, she has traded in her teacher hat for play dates, and cooking lessons with new friends. Along with quiches and cream puffs, she is also tackling another French treat, crepes.  Her two-year-old daughter liked the cheese-filled crepes topped with raspberry jam best, and revealed her happiness while wrestling with her friends as the moms cooked.  ~ Parents: Do your little ones enjoy any gourmet delicacies? ~

My friend Beth's friend Memoria runs a food blog called, Mangio da Sola, which if my internet search is correct, means "eat from the soul" in Portuguese.  While reading it, I came across a wonderful looking breakfast (or anytime) treat, called an Apple Breakfast Puff.  It looks like something that would be great for breakfast during Chanukah (or Rosh Hashanah) since it includes apples and cinnamon sugar. It isn't fried, but gives the appearance of being just as decadent. I need to buy an apple and try them out. Here is the recipe. Just make sure your little ones are OK with eating cinnamon and nutmeg.  ~ Parents: Do you have a special baked treat that works well around-the-clock? ~  PS: Memoria has informed me that Mangio da Sola means 'I eat alone" in Italian, but she likes my meaning too!

I asked my friend Glenda Warmoth, owner of Rosy and Gray, to tell me more about her reusable snack bags, and what her favorite snacks are for kids on the go.  She said, "As a parent I'm a big fan of anything that be easily cleaned with minimal effort. The snack bags I've made for my shop are no exception.  Each bag is lined with unbleached muslin fabric and has a cotton exterior. I also happen to be a HUGE Hello Kitty fan to my bags generally feature a Hello Kitty applique. In our family the snack bags are used to transport crackers and sliced apples or cucumber spears in our diaper bag.  I've found I can bring a larger quantity of snack with me as they take up less space in our bag."  ~ Parents: What are you favorite to-go snack items? ~  

I asked my friend Katherine Zinger-Miller, owner of Katia's Chocolates, what dessert item she and her daughter have been enjoying lately.  She said one of her daughter's favorite treats right now is pears sauteed with cinnamon and nutmeg, served warm with vanilla ice cream. She sautes the pear slices in butter, cinnamon and nutmeg until they are soft. She says it's like eating the inside of a warm pear pie, and it works well with apples too. ~  Parents: What gourmet delicacies do your young gourmets enjoy? ~