FREE Photo Book at Picaboo

I know that this is a little bit of late notice, but I have been busy making my own photo book! 

 

 

 

Head over to Picaboo, sign up, and receive a free book - large hard cover, 20 page, photo book, worth $30.00, all you have to pay for is the shipping. 

I am so excited to get ours!  But you have to hurry because, the free code expires today!

I {Heart} S’mores

I love summer, and what goes better with summer than s’mores.  There have been so many great s’more ideas floating around the blogosphere.  My favorite round up so far was posted by Lori over at Be Different . . . Act Normal.

My favorite link she shared, Chocolate Cake S’more Cookies by Picky Palate.  Yumm-o! 

Ice Cream Party: Ice Cream Pinata

This weekend we had an ice cream themed party for my newly two year-old little girl.  It was nothing huge and fancy, but I had a few things that I wanted to share.  First up, the piñata.  I LOVED the way it turned out, and was sad to see it brutally destroyed by the little kiddos. 

I got my inspiration here, At Second Street, she threw a Minnie themed party and made a Minnie piñata.  I used her instructions, but with a different shape.  My husband was a little skeptical about not making a paper mache piñata, but it worked out great and was mess free. 

So I figure, no mess, free cardboard I had on hand, crepe paper from the Dollar Tree, and ta da, a cute CHEAP pinata.

 

Filled with candy, ready to be closed up.  Note:  DO NOT for get to leave a hole to put the candy in!  Major oops.    

 

Finished product, ready to be beat and busted open.  

 

 

And if I was in this picture, you could see me shedding a small tear for my darling piñata.  

 

 

 

Read With Me Wednesday: The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand
Written by Audrey Penn
Illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak

When ever I think of my mom and books I think of her two favorite books, I’ll Love You Forever and The Kissing Hand.  This is a favorite back to school book for many, but is also great anytime! 

 

 

 

 

I also loved this great idea from The Creative Homemaker.  Although I love frosting, so I might have to frost my cookies! 

Click here for her complete post. 

 

 

You could also use this cookie cutter. 

And get this cute little guy.

I {Heart} Muddy Buddies

My favorite snack/treat to make . . . ever!  Muddy Buddies, Monkey Munch . . . Whatever you call it I LOVE IT!

Betty Crocker has an awesome tried and true recipe. 

 

 Muddy Buddies

9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

 

Note:  Especially delicious to eat while watching Project Runway, Bones, Lost, or Modern Family.  Ok go eat and enjoy.

Read With Me Wednesday: Chains

Chains
Written by Laurie Halse Anderson
336 pages

If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl?

As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight… for freedom.  Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel.  When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion.  She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

Compelling.  Heart breaking.  Inspiring.  I have read several books about slavery, but none that have stuck with me quite like Chains.  The book has been impeccably researched, but the writing does not suffer because of the facts.  If you follow the title link above to Amazon, you can read a chapter excerpt by clicking on the “Look Inside!” link.  I cannot wait for the sequel Forge to come out in October!

National Watermelon Day

We love watermelon around here.  Love it.  It is one of the things I most look forward to in the summertime. 

So in honor of National Watermelon Day I have two treats for you. 

First the funny.  Cake Wrecks is also celebrating NWD and had some pretty wreckariffic cakes (and as always funny commentary).

Second the practical.  About a month ago I learned the coolest way to cut a watermelon from a friend.  I was going to diagram it all for you but found a great video at allrecipes.com. 

So enjoy a big juicy slice today in commemoration of NWD (we did). 

I {Heart} Running With Scissors

Have you ever heard of this great blog, Running With Scissors?

Jessica is always inspiring me with her great projects.

 

I love that: 

She has great easy to follow tutorials.

She makes things seem accessible (she’s not trying to show off, she keeps it simple).

Her projects are way affordable and not going to break the bank.

 

A few my favorite things from Jessica’s blog:

She made this adorable Max (from Where the Wild Things Are) costume and it has a back pack to go with it!

 

She has several great posts and tutorials about Freezer Paper Stenciling

 

She builds/refinishes/reupholsters furniture like nobody’s business.