S'mores Archives - MomStart

MomStart Camp Counselor On Hershey’s as HERSHEY’S CAMP BONDFIRE #smores #campbondfire

August 2, 2012 by Momstart 14 Comments

Hershey’s S’mores are so much fun as a family event. We did two actual events, we had our very first S’mores event on a cloudy day where the sun actually came out for a few minutes, but we were still prepared for rain so we used the grill. Then we were later able to do it over a fire with friends. You can see my tips and tricks on the Hershey’s Facebook page.

About My Experiences with S’mores

1. How did you put your personal touch on the BEACH BONDFIRE theme?

S’mores Night

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

Camping at the beach in the Pacific Northwest has yet to work out for us. We went camping last year and it rained on us. This year to have a beach bonfire we just brought the beach to us. We have a collection of seashells the kids love to play with and draw on. Using shells is a great way to decorate. Also, using brown sugar on the table placements looks just like sand. For us, I just let the kids do their thing and if you know me you know how hard that is, but it was worth the smiles on their faces.

2. Who did you invite to your bonfire? & 3. Where and when did you host your BONDFIRE?

We had our neighbors all together for a fabulous bonfire. We went over to their house because they actually have a fire pit we could use to create the bonfire. At our house we just use our outdoor grill. It’s been a really cold and rainy summer so far, but on the 4th of July the sun came out and that’s when we had the perfect opportunity to fire it up and have some s’mores on their bonfire.

4. How did you bring your idea to life?

It was actually quite spontaneous. Making outdoor plans here is really difficult with the unpredictable weather. It’s really hard to predict and actually sunny or dry day. My neighbors said let’s have a bonfire and I said, hey I have all the supplies and drinks. I love being spontaneous.

5. What are practical ways for Mom to get started with this theme?

If you’re looking for party ideas and ways to make your beach theme bonfire special Pinterest is a great way to find ideas. Gather some seashells and make some cool crafts. Use the brown sugar for decorating your table and you can use some of the shells too. It’s also quite easy to make sugar cookies look like star fish.

6. What are some unique ideas to help Mom make great memories around a bonfire?

Bonding over the bonfire makes the time very special. I think sharing stories about each other is a great way to make a special memory. Like telling the kids something special they’ve done. Zoe I love to remind her how she was born smiling and I love to tell other people so sharing that story makes all of us smile. For Miles I love to tell him about his love of music and how he was born signing and making sound. Then we end up singing a song. Our favorite song right now is Jesus You’re My Super Hero and we do all the hand motions and dance to it.

7. Don’t forget the S’mores! How did they contribute to your BEACH BONDFIRE?

So we made our first batch of S’mores this year on the grill and I let the kids do it all. Letting the kids get involved made them feel really special. They also made mom and dad’s. S’mores made us all sticky like family should be. We should stick together like glue. We were chocolaty smiles.

8. What was your favorite memory from your BEACH BONDFIRE? 9. Why is this memory so special to you?

My favorite memory was watching my daughter with my husband making her s’more. She was brave holding the marshmallow over the bonfire. They were both full of smiles as they were working together and she was proud of herself for doing it. I was proud of her for doing it and proud of him for being able to convince her to be brave. She’s quite shy and fearful like I am and overcoming a fear is amazing.

10. Would you encourage other families to host a BEACH BONDFIRE? How can they personalize the occasion?

I would encourage other families to host a BEACH Bonfire because it’s so much fun to make s’mores as a family and people you care about. We had a fantastic neighborhood gathering with stories, and fun. It’s a great bonding experience and if you actually live close to a beach you’ll have a fantastic view.

Fore more fun and ideas for camping with S’mores see the Hershey’s Facebook page

This post is part of my participation in the HERSHEY’S CAMP BONDFIRE campaign. All opinions expressed are mine.

Open Faced S’mores Recipe

July 6, 2012 by Momstart 23 Comments

By: Savannah

There is nothing better than a warm summer night, a full moon, and a campfire – as long as you have marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate to go with it! Now, I am not a huge outdoors girl, nor have I been camping in almost five years. BUT, I do love s’mores.

A few weeks ago, my husband posted a picture on my Facebook of a delectable treat of an open faced s’more using Nature Valley Granola Thins, and there lies my inspiration. I knew that I needed to try this recipe out ASAP because s’mores are a summer must have! My favorite part of this treat? It is absolutely the easiest special snack to make. It’s fairly cheap too, since there are only two ingredients! Not to mention, even if you enjoy two of these open-faced s’mores, you’re only eating a total of 210 calories! This is definitely a healthy alternative to the summer favorite as the Nature Valley Granola, which are also delicious on their own, are made with dark chocolate and whole grain oats.

Open-Faced S’mores Recipe

Ingredients:

– Nature Valley Granola Thins: Dark Chocolate
– Marshmallows

Instructions:

– First, you’ll need to turn your oven to 350 degrees.

– Next, unwrap the Nature Valley Granola Thins and place them on the cookie sheet.

– Then, place one marshmallow on each granola thin. Put them in the oven for approximately 5 minutes.

– For the golden brown crisp on the marshmallow that we all love so much, turn the oven to broil for approximately two minutes after they are finished baking.

– Finally, take them out of the oven and enjoy—with a glass of milk of course.

I hope you will try this delicious and simple treat to satisfy your summer cravings. Of course, you don’t have to stop with the marshmallows. Sometimes you can add peanut butter, M&Ms, or other toppings to your s’mores.

What is your favorite way to eat s’mores?

About Savannah – Savannah is a newly graduated, newlywed setting out into the world of teaching. While she doesn’t have any of her own kids yet, she loves to spoil/play with/love on her nephew and all of the kids that she helps take care of. Follow her @savvyylayne .

S’mores Create the Happiest Campers Giveaway

August 10, 2011 by Momstart 256 Comments

We went camping, and it rained and rained and rained. But the kids were still quite happy. Pitching the tent in the rain, riding our bikes in the rain, and sleeping in the rain, we got quite wet. The only thing that wasn’t dampened was the kids’ moods.

Although we were unable to light a fire we stayed warm in our tent and we promised the kids that we would have s’mores when we got home. Seemed like enough to make the happiest campers in the world if you ask me.

This summer, the Hershey Company is encouraging families to create their own S’mores memories with the Say S’mores campaign. We already shared this photo of Zoe with them.

You are invited to capture and share your favorite S’mores moments on the Hershey’s brand Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/hersheys for a chance to win S’mores-themed prizes. The prizes are awesome, the grand prize especially.

The grand-prize is a Canon Rebel Camera, slate marble outdoor firebowl, $250 SnapFish gift card, roasting skewers set and all of the ingredients needed to make S’mores, including Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars. Families who visit the Hershey’s brand Facebook page on or after June 15 can download the Say S’mores application to participate in monthly photo contests and receive a $1 coupon good toward the purchase of any two Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar 6-packs.

What’s not to love? You know that around here at MomStart we’re big fans of S’mores. We already have a few different s’mores recipes to share with you.

You have to try the S’more Pound Cake Squares and the S’more On-The-Go Recipe.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Ashley H.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

This post is part of my participation in the Hershey’s “Say S’mores” Promotion. All opinions expressed are mine

Hershey’s Say S’mores Canon Rebel Camera Giveaway

June 17, 2011 by Momstart 1 Comment

Oh what’s better than chocolate at a campfire? MMMM, nice hot melted chocolate with marshmallows and graham crackers, nom nom nom. My family is planning a camping trip this summer. My husband has picked the location and the availability is really open. We’re going to camp close to the beach for some sand, sun and in the Pacific Northwest that includes hiking. One thing that goes hand in hand for me when it comes to camping is the campfire and roasting marshmallows. You may not believe this, but the first time I actually used the marshmallow to make a s’more was after I met my husband. Probably because that’s also the first time I’ve been around a camp fire. My sister and I used to use a candle to roast our marshmallows. And no, our parents didn’t know. LOL

What’s Your S’mores moment? Hershey has asked me to talk to you about their summer program Say S’mores. I’m a part of a campaign with Hershey’s and The Motherhood where I’ll be creating a Say S’mores moment with my family when we go camping this summer. Since making S’more myself for the first time was with my husband, I’m quite excited to be making more chocolaty memories with him and adding our kids in on the chocolate s’more fun. Plus any family like ours sharing in a S’more moment can enter the Say S’mores giveaway. The Hershey Company is encouraging families to create their own S’mores memories with the Say S’mores campaign. Starting June 15, families are invited to capture and share their favorite S’mores moments on the Hershey’s brand Facebook page for a chance to win S’mores-themed prizes.

The Grand Prize is a Canon Rebel Camera. Our first high tech camera was the Canon Rebel, LOVE IT! And so will you so I recommend that you put together your favorite S’mores moments on Hershey’s Facebook page. The grand prize winner will also receive slate marble outdoor firebowl, $250 SnapFish gift card, roasting skewers set and all of the ingredients needed to make S’mores, including Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars. Everyone else who visits the Hershey’s brand Facebook page on or after June 16 can download the Say S’mores application to participate in monthly photo contests and receive a $1 coupon good toward the purchase of any two Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar 6-packs.

Stay tuned for how our camping trip turns out and what surprises Hershey’s has in store for us.

This is a sponsored campaign with The Motherhood on behalf of Hershey’s.