Strawberry Field Mice Forever!

Spring has sprung and if you live anywhere in the Southeast, you know that means the green fields are dotted with those ruby red gems, sweet, sweet, STRAWBERRIES! Here in Florida, we are world famous for our spectacular Plant City Strawberries. This town is the largest producer of Strawberries and Citrus in the state of Florida, and boy are we thankful for that! Our spring dining regime is filled with menu items such as Strawberry Trifle, Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry Ice Cream, Strawberry Salad, Strawberry Pie, Strawberry Shakes, Strawberry Daiquiris, and the list goes on says Bubba Gump! As much as I lust for these crimson cuties, I can get berry burn out after a few cases and begin to seek alternative uses for this perfect produce. In addition to this season bursting at the seams with, spring is also the time for fabulous fetes like Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, and Birthdays. In seeking new and inventive ways to put these scarlet sirens to use, I stumbled upon this idea on the World Wide Web. Just imagine how precious these bite-size berry mice would be sitting alongside a punch bowl or hidden among the buffet at your next springtime soiree! A few themes you may want to incorporate them in could be a "Nursery Rhymes Baby Shower." You could use them to play up the beloved "Three Blind Mice" or "Hickory Dickory Dock" Nursery Rhymes. For a child's birthday, consider hosting an "If you give a Mouse a Cookie" Party. This is an absolutely adorable children's book, a part of a series, which would make all the kiddies squeal with excitement! For all you Divas with a more grown-up gathering in mind, display these mice among your Fromage array at your next "Cheers and Cheese" (a.k.a. Wine and Cheese) Party. Even the most sophisticated of guest would enjoy this pop of humor.

Strawberry Mice

Directions

For each mouse, slice a small section from the side of a strawberry so it sits flat.

Press a mini chocolate chip into the tip for a nose, using a small dab of icing to secure it in place, if needed.

Add icing eyes and stick 2 almond slivers into the top of the berry for ears.

For a tail, use a toothpick to carve a small hole in the back of the berry and push the end of a piece of licorice lace into the hole.

Serve these berry cute treats with small triangles of Swiss cheese.

Wherever these Strawberry Field Mice may scurry, I hope they bring a little smile to your next Spring Soiree!