You could make an initial hanging in a grouping or a short word on a shelf, and they’re so much cheaper to make. With a new baby at home, I’ve been trying to work on projects that can be finished between feedings, so that means they have to be quick and easy. And this one is definitely that! What I love about these is that you don’t have to use spray paint, which I find difficult to use in the winter....
When I was a kid, one of my favorite activities at Grandma’s house was playing with her chalk pastels. They were like chalk, but more intense in color, a more serious art supply than we were accustomed to. She taught us a technique that amused us for hours every time we visited. Kids of any age can play with chalk pastels, but mid-grade school-aged kids will probably have the most fun with this technique....
This summer Cate and I planted nasturtium seeds in our planter boxes, as suggested by my fabulous landscape architect friend. There are so many reasons why this was the perfect idea: The seeds are BIG, which is perfect for planting with kids. They can actually see the seeds, so the process is more gratifying for them. You can eat the leaves and the flowers! This is the best part! We have squirrels who like to dig up my garden…while they did in fact dig these seeds up, they never ate them....
Here are a few ways to help me and the kids keep up a schedule during this summer: Job Jars: I linked to this fabulous idea a few years ago and it is still something we do almost everyday. These popsicle sticks are easy for my kids to remember and get done. We only have 6 jobs in each jar, just enough for little ones to accomplish in a pretty short amount of time....
With sugar cones filled with orange sherbet flames, it’s the perfect treat to get us off on the right foot! However, these torches won’t be lit for the duration of the games, as they were extinguished within minutes! We’re celebrating the Winter Olympic Games all week. To see more fun and sporty activities, check out the Winter Olympic Games for Kids series. Go for the GOLD!
Past Make and Takes crafts, treats, and activities: Heart Healthy Exercise Game (pictured above) Hearty Pancakes Valentine Cards to Give to Loved Ones Heart Pencil Topper Valentine Lemonade Ice Pops Celebrate Valentines with an All Day Event Fun Ideas I’ve gathered around the internet: Valentine Clippies (pictured above) Heart Shaped Egg in a Nest Valentine Cookie Pops Candy Bar Covers Purr-fect Kitty Valentines Conversation Heart Treats
There’s a fabulously fun new show streaming on Netflix called Project MC2: “This teenage spy team become secret agents who use their science and tech skills to save the day.” I’m part of the Netflix StreamTeam and they were kind enough to send us a care package of a few experiments to work with, inspired by the show. The box was full of all sorts of cool things to experiment, test, and observe....
Banana and Date Smoothie Smoothie ingredients: Frozen bananas Pitted dates Coconut Honey Almond milk Flaxseed What are good things to add to date smoothies? Date smoothies (like this one) are delicious, however, if you want to change them up with different ingredients, here are a few options for you: Coconut milk Peanut butter Cocoa powder Oats Agave nectar Chia seeds Nut butter Hemp hearts How to make a date smoothie To make a quick and easy smoothie it’s as simple as adding all of your ingredients to a blender and blending until thick and smooth....
Supplies for Apple Printing: paint, acrylic paint works great apples, popsicle sticks, plates Pour some paint onto a paper plate. You can use the paint as is, or you can mix it with a little water for a lighter stamp look. I ended up keeping my paint water free, as it gave it a richer look. Next, cut your apples. You need to cut them as straight and flat as possible....
Coming up with WHAT to cook is my least favorite part of cooking, well besides the dishes. The initial reason I started my food blog was to get dinner ideas from my friends. My favorite restaurants are another good source of inspiration when I’m meal planning. When I feel stuck ideas or when I’ve recently ordered something I like, I look up that restaurant’s menu. The menu descriptions are usually quite detailed, so it’s pretty easy to figure out my own recipe at home....
One pot meals are life savers, especially on those super busy weeknights when you just don’t have a lot of time, but you still don’t want takeout food. These recipes require just a bit of time to get everything together in only one pan and everything gets cooked there! No more several pots to clean up afterwards. Not only is this One Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice recipe comforting and hearty, but it is incredibly easy to make....
If you are a fan of the classic caprese sandwich, you will love this Open Face Caprese Pesto Sandwich. It is so easy to make and the flavors are divine. You really can’t go wrong with grilled bread, pesto, mozzarella cheese, and fresh tomatoes. Kids and adults love this one! These sandwiches are great for a simple lunch or dinner. And you can bring in a little fall by serving roasted tomato basil soup on the side....
Supplies: Everything is available at your local craft or fabric store. Punching Awl Pattern for Pumpkin to punch: Download this pattern, then print it out: Pumpkin Stitched Pattern Cork board: For punching holes in card – found at kitchen or office store (try a cork hot plate) Thread: I usually use DMC floss, with all six strands Needle: Cross-stitch needle #26 for 18-22 count fabric Cardstock: white piece, accent color piece, folded card piece Envelope: white envelope that measures, 4 ½ “ x 5 ¾ “ Glue: Glue stick, glue dots, spray glue is recommended...
Shrimp Taco Cups Crispy, golden shrimp taco cups! Mini flour tortilla cups filled with shrimp, black beans, corn, chopped tomatoes and topped with cheese, spring onion and fresh cilantro! I love that you can just place these cups onto a plater and here you have the perfect appetizer to serve at a party, family gathering or at a game night. This recipe is super easy, fun and quick to make. It takes 15-20 minutes from start to serve time....
Break the tops off your matches, we needed 3. Take your door off both hinges. Lay it on it’s side, with the ripped holes facing up. Pour some wood glue into each hole and place your broken match sticks in. They will need to dry over night, just to make sure the match stick stays for good. Once the glue is dry, break off the sticking out wood with your fingers....
31 Crock Pot Dinner Recipes You’ll Love Italian Meatballs: Pour these Italian meatballs over pasta for a yummy dinner for the whole family! Girl Versus Dough has the recipe. Skinny Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie: No guilt allowed with this easy and healthy chicken pot pie recipe from Skinny Mom. Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: Damn Delicious gives us the recipe for this Chinese take-out meal to be made at home....
It was always especially fun when there was a food to go along with one of our stories, like silver dollar pancakes while reading If You Give a Pig a Pancake or vegetable soup just like the birthday soup in Little Bear. Here are five fun and simple book and food pairings for your own story snack time! Story: Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo Snack: Hot buttered toast In Mercy Watson to the Rescue, we are introduced to Mercy, a special pig with a great love for giant stacks of hot buttered toast....
We found an old t-shirt we had that didn’t fit so well to practice on for our first time. But these would actually be really fun and cute to make with special t-shirts the kids have outgrown, recycling them into something new. Or you could even buy a few t-shirts for this purpose, to get the right color or wording for your bag. These bags are great for the beach or the park… summer here we come!...
Supplies for Snowman Button Card: paper cork board for punching holes punching awl or thumb tack to punch holes embroidery thread cross-stitch needle buttons cardstock paper for folded card glue Here’s the pattern to look at as you punch holes for your snowman, for the scarf, hat, and nose. Line up your buttons onto a piece of paper, any color paper. It’s best to use paper that is heavier, but if you use thin paper, just stitch carefully to not tear a hole....
Easy Napkin Ring & Place Card Tutorial Supplies: Empty toilet paper rolls, or paper towel rolls cut in half Extreme Glitter paint in Champagne (optional) Paint brush (optional) Burlap fabric pieces cut to 3.5″ x 7″ Scrap of sheet music or patterned paper, cut to 2″ x 6.5″ Heavy-duty double sided tape (I like Score-Tape) Ribbon and twine Tiny Christmas ornaments (mine were mercury glass, but small glass balls or jingle balls would work great, too!...
