Archive for the ‘Amy’s Notebook’ Category

Amy’s Notebook : The Easter Weekend Edition

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

The notebook is short and sweet this week as bloggers are getting back into full swing after Easter and many are on their spring breaks right now.

I just wanted to share a few of the pictures of my sweet children from our Easter weekend. I was able to find all of their Easter outfits, from head to toe, at Marshall’s this year. I thought they looked extra special this year and I could not have been more proud to show them off.

I hope your families had a wonderful Easter too and happy reading!


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I want to try this Honey I’m Home bread (@ Dine & Dish)

My kids would love this bunny bowling set (@ The long thread)

This homemade crinkle toy is so cute and inventive (@ Craft Stylish)

I am going to have to remember these tissue paper Easter eggs for next year (@ The Artful Parent)

I love this Easter basket sewing project for next year (@ disdressed)

I am intrigued by this deep dish pizza recipe (@ the paupered chef)

We will have to make some of these homemade poster paints sometime (@ Pepper Paints)

This angel hair pasta salad with tomato and basil would be a great summertime dish (@ Annie’s Eats)

I love this reminder for the importance of family rituals (@ Simple Mom)

These are some great tips for selecting & cutting a pineapple (@ $5 Dinners)

Amy’s Notebook 04.08.09

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

I want to make these tie dyed Easter eggs this year (@ Scribbit)

Here is another fun egg-dying technique to try (@ The Barefoot Kitchen Witch)

These Rice Krispie Easter Eggs look like a fun treat (@ ohdeedoh)

This ottoman made from a coffee table would definitely cover up the gashes on my table (@ Little Green Notebook)

These free bunny embroidery pattern is so sweet (@ orange you lucky!)

I love this little take-along placemat (@ Patchwork)

I really love this post on crafting and deciding if it is for you (@ Nesting Place)

These Easter Bunny Cake Pops are darling (@ Bakerella)

This is another great refashioned sweater tutorial (@ Lulu Bliss)

I am going to be using this idea for quickly softening butter (@ Simply Recipes)

I adore this cake plate tutorial (@ Storybook Woods)

This orange spice banana bread sounds like another fun recipe to try (@ Good Life Eats)

I love this idea for an egg memory game (@ scrumdilly do)

These tulle blossoms would brighten up any sticks in our backyard (@ Beetlegirl Designs)

I adore this post on living a complex life (@ MommyCoddle)

These tips for frugal Easter eggs are great (@ Small Homestead)

I want to make some bread bags for my homemade bread (@ SouleMama)

This baked french toast recipe looks delicious (@ whatever)

Notebook Experiments: Will We Like Wheat Pizza Crust?

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009


Experiment: Can I make a wheat pizza crust that the whole family will love?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 02.12.09

Materials Needed: Please see Day by Day for specific directions on how to make this pizza crust. I actually used my bread machine for this instead of using the stand mixer and just dumped the ingredients in like I would normally (wet ingredients, dry ingredients, yeast on top) and it came together great.

Results:


I ran my bread machine on the dough cycle and did have to add just a little bit of water to make the dough a little bit looser. I let it run through the entire cycle and then floured my counters and rolled it out for my lightly greased cookie sheet.

I baked as instructed and the results were great. The crust has a chewy texture and puffs up beautifully. I usually have to bake my crust first to get it to be nice and chewy, but I was able to top this crust and bake it right with the toppings and still have a nice firm crust.

The kids ate it and my husband really liked it too. It was a little bit healthier than our previous versions which made me feel less guilty about the slushie factor that I added in for our fun family night. It all balances out in the end, right?

Conclusion: I will definitely be making this crust again, but play around a little bit with the spices. I think it would be great with regular salt and garlic powder and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese instead, but it is a very versatile recipe that is a little healthier than our normal pizza crust. Thanks to Day by Day for sharing their family recipe!

Related Links:

Can I Make a Deep Dish Pizza?

Dinner is in the Bag

Freezer Worthy Pizza Sauce

Pizza Hut Pizza Dough Crust

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I am so excited to open our Notebook Experiments up to everyone and I hope that you will be able to participate this week or in weeks to come! I will be posting this each Wednesday so please mark your calendars if you plan to participate. You can post your entries at any time throughout the week and then leave your entry in the links below.

We have this handy banner that you are more than welcome to use, but it is not a requirement! It is just something you can add to add a little sparkle to your entry.

Rules for Participation:

1. Choose anything from any of our notebook entries (past or present) to do with your family. We have hundreds of bookmarked links of crafts, ways to save money, and organizing ideas.
2. Complete an experiment from the notebook and share about it on your blog or website. We would love to see pictures of what you accomplished or a detailed description of how your projects turned out. Please include a link to this entry, a link to the original posting of the entry (at the original craftster’s blog), and (to help us relocate the project) the date or link of the notebook entry where you found it. You can use the same formatting as our entries or you can just include that information in your post in your own unique way!
3. Post a link below. Please include your name or blog name & a fast description of your project. Example- MomAdvice (WHO bread)

I can’t wait to see what you create and what you find inspiring!

Amy’s Notebook 04.01.09

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

This chicken cooked in milk looks like a recipe that I have to try (@ The Kitchn)

This little dress decor is too cute (@ ohdeedoh)

I love this round-up of ideas for things to do with Easter eggs (@ One Crafty Place)

This crocheted bottle cozy would be a great little baby shower gift with glass baby bottles (@ design sponge)

These heat embossed rocks would be a fun project to do with the kids or to use as placeholders at a dinner table (@ cheeky magpie)

I love these tips for greening up the lunch bag (@ betz white)

I want to try these lemon-herb roasted drumsticks (@ Serious Eats)

I need to do a spice cabinet clean out (@ Small Notebook)

These impromptu princess crowns would be great for a birthday party (@ Sparkle Power)

I would love to try making these etched glass jars (@ Martha Stewart)

This homemade buttermilk ranch dressing look delicious (@ Simply Recipes)

This hungry caterpillar cupcake train is too cute (@ Coco Cake Cupcakes)

These Easter finger puppets are darling (@ The Purl Bee)

I would really like an oilcloth tablecloth for my kitchen table (@ Twig & Thistle)

I am going to have to print out some of these little Easter printables (@ Skip to My Lou)

I love these little bird’s nests as a sweet Easter treat (@ My Insanity)

I want to try this technique for cooking moist chicken breasts (@ The Kitchn, hat tip to Not Martha)

I want to try making these easy hooded towels (@ Make & Takes)

These Peep cupcakes sound like the perfect Easter treat (@ Baking Bites)

Notebook Experiment: Can I Make a Delicious Oatmeal Cookie?

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009


Experiment: Can I make a delicious oatmeal cookie that the kids will love?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 02.05.09

Materials Needed: Please see don’t call me becky for specific directions on how to make these Oatmeal Jumbo Cookies. I was able to find a package of pretty pink M&M;’s that support breast cancer awareness at our local Aldi. I also added peanuts for the nuts in the cookie, as was recommended by this blog entry.

Results: I really stink at making cookies. For some reason, no matter what I do, they always end up turning out horribly. Ask me to make you an amazing four course dinner though, and I will shine like a superstar. I guess you could say that Rachael Ray & I are very similar as I recognize that I am not a very good baker.

I decided to make the jumbo version of this cookie and it failed miserably. It got crunchy on the outside but never set up firmly in the center. The second batch was done by the teaspoonful and turned out pretty perfect except for the flat as a pancake look, even after refrigerating my dough. One peek at the expiration date on my baking powder made me realize that it might not be my cooking skills that are lacking, but instead the leavening agent was a little flat.

Regardless of this small detail, these cookies are absolutely delicious! They have no flour in them, but loads of oats, peanuts, peanut butter, and a little chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth. These cookies were excellent and I can’t wait to try making them again with a fresh batch of baking powder.

If you are ever in a pinch though, I did find a great substitution for baking powder. You can substitute 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch to substitute for your baking powder.

Conclusion: These cookies will make a fun lunch box treat for the family and I love the flavor combination of the chocolate and the peanut butter! I hope you can give these a try the next time you need to satisfy your sweet tooth!
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I am so excited to open our Notebook Experiments up to everyone and I hope that you will be able to participate this week or in weeks to come! I will be posting this each Wednesday so please mark your calendars if you plan to participate. You can post your entries at any time throughout the week and then leave your entry in the links below.

We have this handy banner that you are more than welcome to use, but it is not a requirement! It is just something you can add to add a little sparkle to your entry.

Rules for Participation:

1. Choose anything from any of our notebook entries (past or present) to do with your family. We have hundreds of bookmarked links of crafts, ways to save money, and organizing ideas.
2. Complete an experiment from the notebook and share about it on your blog or website. We would love to see pictures of what you accomplished or a detailed description of how your projects turned out. Please include a link to this entry, a link to the original posting of the entry (at the original craftster’s blog), and (to help us relocate the project) the date or link of the notebook entry where you found it. You can use the same formatting as our entries or you can just include that information in your post in your own unique way!
3. Post a link below. Please include your name or blog name & a fast description of your project. Example- MomAdvice (WHO bread)

I can’t wait to see what you create and what you find inspiring!

Amy’s Notebook 03.25.09

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

I love this doily lampshade makeover (@ make grow gather)

These fabric Easter eggs would be so cute in my basket on my kitchen table (@ retro mama)

I am still wanting to make this lemony lemon cake (@ Smells Like Home)

I am dying to try this pie crust recipe (@ Scribbit)

I love this post on steps towards a more sustainable life (@ zen habits)

This herb marinated pork tenderloin looks delicious (@ Annie’s Eats)

These freezer paper stencils are such a cute project to do with kids (@ Design Mom)

I love this list of ways to thrive in the kitchen with children (@ Simple Mom)

These greeting card made from a floppy disk is too cool (@ Build/Make/Craft/Bake)

I am going to have to try this recipe for old-fashioned homemade pancakes (@ My Wooden Spoon)

These allspice crumb muffins look like a delicious treat (@ Annie’s Eats)

I want to try this brine for pork chops (@ The Kitchn)

I love this post on baking bread (@ down to earth)

I want to have a spring time tea party (@ The Inspired Room)

I will have to try this recipe for homemade cocktail sauce (@ Coconut & Lime)

Notebook Experiments: Making Our Grocery Lists

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

We have had another crazy week with travel and sick children. I hope you will enjoy this post for a creative, frugal, and green way to keep your children entertained!

Experiment: Can making a grocery list with my son provide entertainment for one hour and be educational too?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 05.08.08

Materials Needed: Please see plumpudding for specific directions on how to complete this experiment. We used some leftover recycled paper from our computer paper to put the lists on and this week’s grocery advertisements.

Results: Ethan really needs to work on his writing skills and needs some practice cutting with scissors so we adapted this activity to prepare him more for these skills. We are also in the pre-reading stage where he is sounding out and beginning to write his words. I wanted to work on all of these skills so we made the list in two ways.

The first lists that we made, I just had him cut out what he would want on his dream grocery list. I divided the piece of paper in half and had him add the pictures to one side of the page. In the opposite column, I wrote the word of the item and then I made a line so that he could write the word underneath.

On the second list, I divided the paper into two columns and then wrote down the grocery list. He sounded out the words, to try and figure out what they said, and then drew his picture to accompany them.

When we were done with our list, Ethan played in our little kitchen and shopped for food items off of his list, matching pretend food items with his pretend list. Then he made me pretend dishes to eat and charged me money for them…because that is how we roll!

Conclusion: This activity was great and helped us work on the skills that we need to work on, in preparation for next year’s big move to kindergarten. This activity kept him busy for an hour and gave us an opportunity to really work together on his reading and writing skills. Thanks, plumpudding for this great idea!

**********************

I am so excited to open our Notebook Experiments up to everyone and I hope that you will be able to participate this week or in weeks to come! I will be posting this each Wednesday so please mark your calendars if you plan to participate. You can post your entries at any time throughout the week and then leave your entry in the links below.

We have this handy banner that you are more than welcome to use, but it is not a requirement! It is just something you can add to add a little sparkle to your entry.

Rules for Participation:

1. Choose anything from any of our notebook entries (past or present) to do with your family. We have hundreds of bookmarked links of crafts, ways to save money, and organizing ideas.
2. Complete an experiment from the notebook and share about it on your blog or website. We would love to see pictures of what you accomplished or a detailed description of how your projects turned out. Please include a link to this entry, a link to the original posting of the entry (at the original craftster’s blog), and (to help us relocate the project) the date or link of the notebook entry where you found it. You can use the same formatting as our entries or you can just include that information in your post in your own unique way!
3. Post a link below. Please include your name or blog name & a fast description of your project. Example- MomAdvice (WHO bread)

I can’t wait to see what you create and what you find inspiring!

Amy’s Notebook 03.18.09

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

I want to make this beautiful spring wreath (@ A Soft Place to Land)

I love this personalized tote bag tutorial (@ a sister for the bean)

I would have never thought of covering stains on a skirt with fabric yo-yos (@ Craftzine)

I adore this sweet little pincushion tutorial (@ Etsy)

These iced oatmeal applesauce cookies look delicious (@ Mad About Martha)

This is a great tutorial for spring cleaning your sewing machine (@ Craft Nectar)

This wishing well is such a sweet little treat for children (@ Here We Are Together)

I still want to try making doughnuts with the kids (@ The Artful Parent)

I want to make this lemon bread recipe (@ i have to say…)

These chocolate mint cupcakes would be a wonderful treat (@ Simply Recipes)

I am going to have to remember this chip clip idea the next time we play cards (@ Parent Hacks)

I love this idea for a thrifty flower girl dress (@ Like Merchant Ships)

This fish and chips recipe looks so good (@ Coconut & Lime)

Here is another fish recipe I would like to try- Sicilian-Style Cod (@ Serious Eats)

These banana espresso chocolate chip muffins look like a wonderful addition to any brunch (@ Annie’s Eats)

This is a great little tutorial on growing potatoes in a trash can (@ DIY Maven)

I adore these little pretzel shamrocks– definitely making these next year (@ On a Whim)

I love this cute little bag of beans (@ The Purl Bee)

This recipe for barbecue sauce looks yummy (@ The Perfect Pantry)

I like these tips for how to frost a cupcake (@ The Kitchn)

I love this top ten napkin fold techniques (Yes But No ButYes)

There are so many fun new knitting projects in the spring issue of Knitty (@ Knitty)

I am going to have to see if this recipe for banana muffins with streusel topping are better than my recipe (Genesis of a Cook)

I love this t-shirt makeover (@ Banana Frog)

I think these lemon cookies look so delicious (@ plumpudding)

Amy’s Notebook 03.11.09

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

I love this idea for creating placemats (@ Wise Craft)

I enjoy getting a glimpse into extreme home makeovers to inspire my home (@ The Inspired Room)

This revamped storage shelf is darling (@ ohdeedoh)

I like these place card holders made from recycled corks (@ Lifehacker)

I really needed this reminder to focus a bit more on those sinking funds (@ Simple Mom)

I need to find some fun things around the house to spray paint (@ A Soft Place to Land)

These crunchy oven baked fries look delicious (@ Joy the Baker)

If I could eat spicy food, I would be indulging in these lotsa hotsa tacos (@ Make & Takes)

These homemade corn dogs look like a fun treat (@ chaos in the kitchen)

This woven button coaster is so chic (@ Craftstylish)

I love this post on breaking the frugal rules (@ The Small Notebook)

I want to knit up some of these candy-striped washcloths for the holidays (@ Knit With KT)

On the flip side, I love this post on discovering the necessities in your home (@ Money Saving Mom)

I want to make this Amish Friendship Bread starter sometime (@ Skip To My Lou)

I love this kitchen island makeover (@ Nesting Place)

I won’t give up on trying to make pretzels (@ The Artful Parent)

I want to try these silver dollar pancakes (@ Serious Eats)

Notebook Experiments: Can I Make My Hotel Stay Better?

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

Experiment: Can I make my hotel stay better?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 10.30.08

Materials Needed: Please see Digital Bliss for the full instructions. This post was written by Angie, over at Blog Coach, so please be sure to check her site for additional great blogging resources!

Results: This month I have had more travel than I could imagine in one month for a busy momma. I have had this list bookmarked for a year now and while I was in New York last week, I knew that I would try out some of these tools to make my stay better.


iSerenity was perhaps my favorite resource on that list because I hate all the sounds from my neighbors and out in the hallways of hotels. In our house, each of us has a sound machine in our rooms so I really love having some type of white noise when I sleep. I tuned into the sounds of the ocean and it helped so much to cut down on the background noise so I could get some sleep. This would have been a great resource too when my children were smaller to help them sleep better too.



The other site that I used was Kukuklock. Is it just me or does anyone else have trouble figuring out how in the heck to set these alarms in the hotel rooms? A little manual would be helpful! I set my alarm on my phone in my room, but I like to have a back-up alarm just in case. I went ahead and set it to the rooster setting and it was as easy as pie to set.

I headed to bed and woke up to the sounds of the ocean with roosters crowing over the waves. Yeah, it was pretty freaky and I thought I fell into an alternate universe for a moment there, but it worked like a charm.

Conclusion:
I plan to use these sites every time because it helped me sleep better knowing I would wake up on my time and I could eliminate the background noises in my room. I hope you can check these out on your next trip!

**********************

I am so excited to open our Notebook Experiments up to everyone and I hope that you will be able to participate this week or in weeks to come! I will be posting this each Wednesday so please mark your calendars if you plan to participate. You can post your entries at any time throughout the week and then leave your entry in the links below.

We have this handy banner that you are more than welcome to use, but it is not a requirement! It is just something you can add to add a little sparkle to your entry.

Rules for Participation:

1. Choose anything from any of our notebook entries (past or present) to do with your family. We have hundreds of bookmarked links of crafts, ways to save money, and organizing ideas.
2. Complete an experiment from the notebook and share about it on your blog or website. We would love to see pictures of what you accomplished or a detailed description of how your projects turned out. Please include a link to this entry, a link to the original posting of the entry (at the original craftster’s blog), and (to help us relocate the project) the date or link of the notebook entry where you found it. You can use the same formatting as our entries or you can just include that information in your post in your own unique way!
3. Post a link below. Please include your name or blog name & a fast description of your project. Example- MomAdvice (WHO bread)

I can’t wait to see what you create and what you find inspiring!