Remember playing the cloud game as a kid? A warm summer day, the fresh cut grass the only blanket you needed to spend hours watching the clouds roll by. What did your imagination create? Did it get any better than those carefree days?

Lately I've been looking for things to get my kids to think outside the box and not rely so much on the suggestions forced into their minds via video games, youTube and the television.

I've managed to get them at least noticing the clouds - and that's one step forward for me. There have been the moments in the car when they spot something in the clouds and comment on it. And from the plane? What things you can spot from high above, and how different they look from those heights.

Now with the fall coming, it's going to be harder to get them to sprawl in the grass (and since I'm not a big fan of bugs and seem to get worse with each passing year...) a picnic blanket is now okay with me!

 Watching the clouds is relaxing and invigorating at the same time. While your body rests and soaks up the fresh air, your mind is running away with possibilities we all can find in those white wispy creations. From fire-breathing dragons to giant hippos - it's all there for you to enjoy and it doesn't have to make sense.

So while you're taking time to smell the flowers, or taking in the crisp fall air - don't forget to look up!

Enjoy the weekend.

Tired of the same old brownies? Although brownies are the standard stand-by dessert in our house, I like to mix it up every now and then and throw the family a curve. Try this twist - mix and bake in the same pan, too!

One Pan Chocolate Walnut Cake

1 Cup Flour, 1 Cup Sugar, 2/3 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour an 8 inch square or round cake pan, preferably nonstick.

In the prepared baking pan, combine the dry ingredients above. Make a well in the middle.

Into the well, add...

1/2 Cup sour cream, 1/4 cup light vegetable oil, 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Gradually incorporate all the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients by pulling in from the edges as you stir.

Stir in 1 cup walnuts.

Spread the mixture evenly in the pan and rap it once or twice on the counter to remove any air bubbles in the batter.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack.

Enjoy the weekend!