Archive for the ‘Amy’s Notebook’ Category

Notebook Experiments: Can I Make Something Out of Cereal No One Likes?

Thursday, January 15th, 2009


Experiment: Can I make something out of the cereal no one likes?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 01.15.09

Materials Needed: Please see The Farm Chicks for the full instructions. I followed the instructions exactly.

Results: Have you ever stockpiled something and it seemed like a good idea at the time, but then you realized it was actually a waste of money? I thought for sure that my children and husband would love Honey Bunches of Oats cereal, but no one was a fan and I have four boxes of cereal that have been sitting in our pantry, wasting valuable cupboard space.

It is rare that I run across two recipes in a row on the same exact site that I feel like I must try, but what can I say except that The Farm Chicks rock? I saw this recipe and in the ingredient list it said you could use “any kind of cereal” to make their Peanut Butter Energy Bars. I ran downstairs and put a dusty box of cereal to good use and the results were nothing less than spectacular.

I really love my chewy granola bar recipe, but these came together much quicker because they didn’t require as many ingredients or any baking time. You literally stir honey, sugar, and peanut butter on the stove until it has dissolved and mix with the cereal. Pat it into a baking dish and slide it into your refrigerator and that is it. No baking, no mixer, no softening of butter- just good ol’ no-bake bars.

I think these would be great with any combination of cereal, chocolate chips, dried fruits, or nuts. We stuck with some of that Honey Bunches of Oat and the master list of ingredients in the recipe.

The family gobbled them up and all agreed that they were perfection. It is a stick-to-your ribs kind of bar so it doesn’t leave you wanting more than just one. I don’t know if it gave me any energy, but it gave me a few moments of peace while everyone was stuffing their face with their yummy goodness.

Conclusion: I would HIGHLY recommend this recipe as a great snack for busy families. It is a sweet surprise to see a tin of these sitting in my refrigerator ready to be nibbled on. It is also a great way to reduce a cluttered pantry. Much thanks again to the fabulous Farm Chicks. These ladies are also coming out with a cookbook in April of 2009, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of it!

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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 Thursday 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 crafster’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 01.15.09

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

I love this idea for making thank you notes (@ dooleh-vay)

This cupcake garland is such a sweet little idea (@ petunia)

I am loving these little party hats (@ hot diggity blog)

This spaghetti & meatballs recipe sounds delicious (@ shelterrific)

I am going to have to try some of these recipes for homemade cleaners (@ Jolly Mom)

This post-it calendar is really cute and I adore these handmade headbands (@ Design Mom)

These oatmeal blueberry applesauce muffins look like they would hit the spot (@ Joy the Baker)

We are going to have an inside snow adventure at our house (@ the homespun heart)

This coffee cup cozy is such a great little gift (@ house on hill road)

This craft desk makeover really rocks (@ design sponge)

These handmade gifts are beautiful (@ Soule Mama)

I like this tutorial for copyrighting your photos (@ Chocolate on My Cranium)

These little cupcake flower arrangements are adorable (@ inspired ideas)

I want to try this pattern for this knitted chevron scarf (@ do stuff)

I am going to make these peanut butter energy bars (@ The Farm Chicks)

This peanut butter swirl banana bread looks like an interesting combination (@ Baking Bites)

I am loving these tips for a dinner party that is under $100 (@ the adventures of penny plastic)

I am going to have to try some of these recipes for overnight yeast waffles (@ The Kitchn)

This is a great little pattern for a child’s apron (@ Sew Liberated)

Notebook Experiments: Can I Make an Amazing Cupcake From Scratch?

Thursday, January 8th, 2009


Experiment: Can I make a cupcake from scratch?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 01.08.09

Materials Needed: Please see The Farm Chicks for the full instructions. I followed the instructions exactly.

Results: I will admit it, I am a cake mix kind of girl just because it is quick and easy. I was really intrigued by this recipe though for Moist Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream because they just sounded divine.

The perfect occasion arose as we were celebrating my mother-in-law’s birthday. I wanted to make a birthday dinner for her so I thought this would be a sweet ending to our dinner.

The recipe came together beautifully until I added the boiling water. As I stirred, what now looked like watery soup or a dish leftover in the sink, I did feel a little panicky. The entry assured me that it was supposed to look exactly like that though so I used my batter bowl to pour in this watery mess.

I made the frosting while the cake was baking and the frosting came together perfectly. I loved the ratios in this recipe because it was so light and fluffy. I also used the tip for just a hint of food coloring to create a more pastel look.

What was a watery looking mess turned out to be the most delicious cupcake I have ever made in my life! The cake was moist and flavorful. In fact, the cake was still good four days after our party and tasted just like the day I made it. The frosting on top was sweet, but just the right amount of sweet.

Conclusion: The entire family agreed that this is a recipe worth repeating. I think this will be my new cupcake recipe for these special occasions because it was delicious and also was made from ingredients that are always lurking in my pantry. Thanks to The Farm Chicks for a wonderful recipe that I will be using over and over again!

Here are the other recipes from the birthday party:

Classic Baked Ziti

1 pound lean ground beef (I subbed it this time with Sweet Turkey Sausage removed from its casings)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (32 ounce) jar meatless sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta, cooked & drained
2 (8 ounce) cups shredded mozzarella cheese (I subbed it this time with Italian Cheese Blend)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, cook ground beef & garlic over medium-high heat for six to eight minutes or until beef is browned; stirring frequently. Stir in spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, & oregano. Reduce heat & simmer for ten minutes. Stir one cup of the sauce into the cooked ziti noodles. Spoon half of the ziti mixture into a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle with 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese & a 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Top with two cups sauce, then remaining ziti mixture & remaining sauce. Cover & bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella & Parmesan cheese. Return to oven & bake uncovered for ten minutes or until heated through.

Amy’s Holiday Punch

1 (2 liter) bottle cherry 7-Up soda
1 liter (half a bottle) raspberry flavored soda (I found this at Walmart)
1 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 (12 ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 (1 liter) can pineapple juice

Mix all the ingredients together for the punch. This will fill one large punch bowl or two smaller ones. Rum can be added for a spiked punch, but that would be super inappropriate for a princess party! This will convert the non-punch lovers in the group, I promise!

There was also something else at the party in this…


But I will have to show it to you next week! A girl has to save some content for next week!

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

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 Thursday 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 crafster’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 a
s 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 01.08.09

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

I am loving these little homemade glove warmers (@ Craftstylish)

I love this homemade card holder inspired by Pottery Barn (@ whatever)

I love this round-up of homemade holiday gift ideas (@ sparkle power)

This art hat party is a brilliant NYE tradition (@ Make)

This Coca Cola cake recipe sounds delicious (@ Teresa Sheeley)

These custom iPod covers are so cute (@ jannypie)

This cereal box puppet theater would be a fun winter day craft with little stick puppets (@ flip flops & applesauce)

I will have to keep this in mind- knitting projects for American Girl Dolls (@ zakka life)

Here is another round-up of homemade holiday gifts (@ Chocolate on My Cranium)

I love this photo collage poster & stretched fabric over canvas as new wall art (@ Don’t Call Me Becky)

I love these storage solutions for holiday gift wrap (@ DIY Maven)

I like these rules to bake by (@ Joy the Baker)

I love these organizing solutions for a home office and I want to try this recipe for moist chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting (@ The Farm Chicks)

These ideas for winter decorations are great (@ A Storybook Life)

This pasta with chicken and artichokes looks so good (@ Blissfully Domestic)

I love these tips for piping a basketweave (@ Bakerella)

Amy’s Notebook: The Happy New Year Edition

Thursday, January 1st, 2009


I love these tips for transforming a holiday tin (@ Craftstylish)

This a great tip for storing your garland (@ Nesting Place)

I want to try these mix in the pan cakes (@ Organizing Connection)

This little knitted baby sweater would be great for a spring baby (@ f. pea)

I am loving this knitted scarflet (@ Crafster via Crafzine)

I love this post on inspiring creativity in your children with things already on hand (@ Camp Creek)

This gingerbread cake looks so rich and yummy (@ Smitten Kitchen)

These googly-eyed thumbtacks are so funny (@ zakka life)

I am going to be using this round-up of thank you card printables (@ Skip To My Lou)

These birthday party ideas are great (@ the long thread)

I am loving this packaging for cocoa mix (@ Annie’s Eats)

These cinnamon sugar palmiers look like a wonderful and fast treat (@ My Sweet & Saucy)

This chocolate sour cream cake looks delicious (@ Coconut & Lime)

I am bookmarking these cute gift ideas for next year (@ whatever)

I like this ideas for decorating freebie calendars (@ Parent Hacks)

A cheese fondue night would be fun (@ 101 Cookbooks)

These garter stitch mitts would be a fun project (@ Sew Nancy)

I love this felted mistletoe (@ Caffeine, Kids, & Knitting)

Amy’s Notebook: The Merry Christmas Edition

Thursday, December 25th, 2008

Merry Christmas to you & your families today! Please enjoy the day with your families and thank you for your friendship!

I am in love with this block calendar (@ Lark & Lola)

I think this cake plate is beautiful (@ elsie marley)

These sewn envelopes are a creative way to wrap gifts (@ Wild Olive)

I love this ornamental wreath made from wire hangers (@ Eddie Ross)

This holiday garland made from recycled holiday cards is so cute (@ craft stylish)

I think my kids might have trouble not eating it, but this chocolate play dough sounds like so much fun (@ A Foothill Home Companion)

I want to learn needlepoint and this post inspired me to try it (@ Grace Violet)

This hot cocoa bar of goodies looks wonderful to keep us warm this winter and this peppermint popcorn would make great gifts (@ Dukes’ & Duchess)

This texture box is such a genius idea (@ The Felt Mouse)

These festive handprint onsies are darling (@ chica shmica)

This knitting wreath is so stinking cute (@ Craftster via Craftzine)

I am bookmarking this tulle tutorial (@ Design Mom)

This celery stamped gift wrap is beautiful (@ Make)

I love this idea for wrapping cookies and might have to try this next year (@ Purl Bee)

This candy cane snowflake bark would make a great little hostess gift (@ Diary of a Crafty Chica)

Here are ten more great gift wrapping ideas (@ Mighty Girl)

I am in love with these ornaments filled with scrap paper (@ The Hybrid Kid)

This gingerbread biscotti looks so delicious (@ Annie’s Eats)

Amy’s Notebook 12.18.08

Thursday, December 18th, 2008


I love this list of things to love around the holidays (@ Soule Mama)

These mitten clips are precious (@ Mad About Martha)

These gourmet apples would make a great teacher gift (@ Just Deanna)

I want to knit a coffee cup sleeve (@ Canadian Living)

These homemade marshmallows look so lovely for little holiday gifts (@ Inside A Black Apple)

I love this hoopie the snowman (@ betz white)

This handmade advent calendar is so cute (@ Crafting Happens via Today’s Creative Blog)

This holiday pumpkin bread recipe looks amazing (@ Annie’s Eats)

I look forward to these sibling gift ideas each year (@ Design Mom)

I love this idea for embellishing mittens and they would make a great gift (@ Grace Violet)

These Cheesy Parmesan Italian Biscuits look so delicious for the holidays (@ Divine Domesticity)

These quick sugar substitutes will come in handy with the holiday baking (@ The Kitchn)

I want to try this recipe for homemade gingerbread men (@ Simply Recipes)

I am going to have to try this trouble-free gift bow when wrapping next year (@ Small Notebook)

Amy’s Notebook 12.11.08

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

I apologize- I made a mistake on the ending dates of our Sony & Scotts giveaways. These are open until 12/16 as all our giveaways typically run one week. Please be sure to visit our apron full of giveaways for a ton great contests to enter. Many apologies for the confusion I may have caused!

Something that I hopefully did right was completing my first article for the Right@Home website. I will be guest blogging over the next couple of months about fun activities and crafty ideas to do with your children. Please visit my new articles here!

Enjoy the link list today!

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I am making note of all of these great holiday gift wrapping ideas for the holidays (@ Design Sponge)

This little advent village is adorable (@ Salt & Chocolate)

I would love to try knitting these snowflake mittens (@ Meg Kandis)

These snowy pinecones would make a lovely & frugal centerpiece (@ flipflops & applesauce)

I love this Memory game idea using real memories (@ ohdeedoh)

I think the kids and I would have fun making these cinnamon ornaments (@ sycamore stirrings)

I love these little calendars made with sunprints (@ make grow gather)

These painted holiday ornaments would be fun to do with my kiddos (@ little momma and co.)

This kitchen playmat is so cute and fun (@ ohdeedoh)

I want to try these peanut butter fudge treats (@ Joy the Baker)

These chicken and dumplings remind me of dinners with my great-grandmother (@ Simply Recipes)

I love this glass ball wreath and want to make one for my door (@ TidyMom)

This magnetic advent calendar is darling (@ Remodeling This Life)

I love this pinecone wreath too (@ A Soft Place to Land)

This Christmas Card puzzle game is so inventive (@ Let’s Explore)

Don’t these homemade graham crackers look delicious? (@ plum pudding)

This homemade vanilla extract and spiced nuts look like great gifts to give (@ Design Mom)

Cookie logs would make great gifts to give (@ Make & Takes)

Amy’s Notebook 12.04.08

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

This week’s notebook experiment will still be on hiatus since I am working on our Big Give and I need to get everything organized and ready for that. I promise to be back to it next week.

In the meantime, did you see the amazing giveaways we are offering? I think you might like to enter to win:

Harry Potter Anniversary Edition Box Set
$500 Walmart Gift Card

We also have a new article added to our website this month. This one is just in time for the holiday season:

A Shift Towards Tradition

Happy browsing today!
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I love this advent calendar made from things in your recycle bin (@ craftastica)

I love these little holiday barrettes made from leftover fabric (@ Crafty Stylish)

These cinnamon stick votives would be wonderful for the holidays or these yarn filled ornaments to get rid of the yarny leftovers in your stash (@ DIY Maven)

These shortbread cookies look delicious (@ jane’s apron)

This little bird advent calendar is so lovely and unique (@ Skip to My Lou)

I love this eco-friendly gift topper (@ Creature Comforts)

These thrifted holiday trees would be a wonderful decoration (@ the long thread)

I love this tutorial on how to hang that holiday wreath (@ Nesting Place)

These fifty ways to kill a Twinkie made me laugh out loud… repeatedly (@ Cakespy)

I adore this holiday gift guide (@ Baking and Books)

I want to try these buttermilk pancakes (@ Serious Eats)

These pumpkin cupcakes look heavenly (@ Smitten Kitchen)

This mug of hot chocolate cake sounds delicious (@ Remodeling this Life)

I love this frugal gift guide for holiday giving (@ Frugal Dad)

I am going to be checking this site often for the holidays (@ Tip Nut)

I love this idea for gift wrapping with fonts (@ bugs and fishes by lupin)

I might have to add some of these ideas for advent activities to my Christmas Jar (@ We Are That Family)

I really like this use for cookie cutters (@ Pepper Paints)

I could make some of these vintage game magnets (@ ohdeedoh)

I love this creative tree topper (@ Grace Violet)

I really like these tater-stamped kitchen curtains (@ Craftzine)

Notebook Experiments: Can I Make Restaurant-Worthy Chicken Parmesan?

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Experiment: Can I make a restaurant-worthy Chicken Parmesan?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 09.25.08

Materials Needed: Please see Divine Domesticity for the full instructions. I followed the instructions exactly.


Results: Every time we go out to an Italian place for dinner, my husband always orders Chicken Parmesan. I have been wanting to make it from home, but wasn’t motivated until I saw this recipe to try it. I loved the idea of using garlic & cheese croutons as the breading for the chicken and I also loved that this just required a quick flip in the pan and then was baked in the oven to complete the cooking.

I will admit, I have a hard time not flipping things before they are ready. I need to learn patience, but I am always afraid I am burning something so I flip them too soon. Despite my impatience and early flipping, these still came out beautifully.

The garlic & cheese croutons combined with the cheesy topping was absolutely perfect. Best of all, the chicken was perfectly tender and juicy. I worry about chicken breasts getting too overcooked, but the timing on this dish resulted in a great tasting piece of chicken.

Conclusion: The entire family agreed that this is a recipe worth repeating over and over again. The fact that I absolutely adore Ali and have a special place in my heart just for her…well, that made serving it at my dinner table just a little more special. If you haven’t added Divine Domesticity to your regular blog reading, I hope you will carve some time out for her!

In conclusion, this is totally restaurant-worthy! Thanks, Ali!

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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 Thursday 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 crafster’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!

PLEASE NOTE– Mr. Linky is currently not working (11/19, 9:30PM). If you completed a notebook experiment, please make a small url and post it by leaving a comment below. Once Mr. Linky is working, I will line everybody up back in the form!