Archive for the ‘Amy’s Notebook’ Category

Amy’s Notebook 07.03.08

Thursday, July 3rd, 2008

I love this idea for keeping pests away in the garden without using harmful pesticides (@ Small Notebook)

These knitted tulip socks are so cute (@ The Purl Bee)

I didn’t know about Sam’s Club recycling your old electronic equipment– now I know what to do with our old stuff (@ Working Moms Against Guilt)

I love this idea for making your own liquid soap (@ CasaSugar)

I want to try making some bruschetta on the grill (@ Polliwog’s Cakewalk)

This crocheted apple cozy is so cute (@ Sunnyside Ellen)

These mini chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting look divine (@ Baking Bites)

I have never heard of using a salad spinner to make children’s art (@ Brassy Apple)

This sewing machine cover tutorial is great (@ Not Nigella)

I want to make these Rice Krispies Cookies (@ plum pudding)

These terrariums are beautiful (@ sew nancy)

I like this idea for decoupaging a journal (@ Grace Violet)

I will have to remember these tips for flying with toddlers (@ PsychMamma)

This banana chocolate chip ice cream sounds delicious (@ An Accident of Hope)

I want to try this recipe for making glue (@ DIY Maven)

I love these little job jars (@ Make & Takes)

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A few new reviews, a new entry, and another article have been posted:

Gimos Kidswear
XFLOWSION Exercise DVD
RuMe Reusable Bags
Surviving the Grocery Hike
Word Games Rule

Amy’s Notebook 06.26.08

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Knock, knock… don’t worry, it’s just housekeeping! I have a couple quick things to share with you…

It has been awhile since I have done a giveaway for our site. I am happy to announce that I am giving away a lifetime membership to PearBudget, an amazing new website where you can track your family finances. Don’t worry- you don’t even have to give them access to your bank account. This is just a simple straightforward budget sheet that you can use to track your expenses. Head over there by Wednesday and leave me a comment (entries that are left here cannot be included).

While you are over there, you can see our latest review on the Sony HDR-SR10 Camcorder! You have not lived until you have zoomed into your cat’s nose and watched it in high definition. Yes, this is the first project that my husband did with it…you know, just to see if the zoom was really that awesome. And it was. But…the cat’s nose? Boys!

On to the entries!!

These coffee pops sound like the perfect mommy treat for summer (@ Yum Sugar)

I love this guide on what organic foods to splurge for (@ Cheap Healthy Good)

Here is another great tutorial for a fabric car organizer (@ Finny Knits)

These activities for things to do with dandelions sound like a blast (@ Let’s Explore)

These make-ahead shakes sound delicious (@ Everyday Food Storage)

These felt needle holders are so sweet (@ One Crafty Mumma)

These mason jar lights are so beautiful (@ Design Sponge)

I love this birthday bunting tutorial (@ MilkMonkey)

This reminder to entertain at home was much needed- read the comments for meals on the fly (@ Like Merchant Ships)

These ideas for water balloon fun sounded like a blast (@ MommySecrets)

I want to try this lemonade recipe and I love her post on hospitality with littles this week (@ The Homespun Heart)

I love this idea to use craft foam in the bathtub (@ Plum Pudding)

I am going to have to try these potato packets on the grill (@ With All I’ve Been Given)

I want to try this beautiful baby blanket pattern (@ Frugal Upstate)

The kids and I are going to have to try to make this homemade butter (@ ohdeedoh)

This tutorial on joining fabric strips is amazing (@ laughing purple goldfish)

I am loving this idea for spray painting plates (@ A Soft Place to Land)

This camera strap is so cool (@ house on hill road)

Notebook Experiments: Will Zoo Maps Keep My Child Busy?

Thursday, June 26th, 2008


Experiment: Can a few printed out zoo maps keep my child busy for an afternoon?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 06.19.08

Materials Needed: Please see Let’s Explore for specific directions on how to complete this experiment. I printed out the zoo maps that Let’s Explore had suggested along with maps from our own local zoos for my son to look at. I wished we had a color printer to print these out, but Ethan still was able to visualize where all the animals were in the zoo.

Results: I planned this activity the day after we went to the zoo so all of the exhibits were fresh in his mind. At first he copied the maps and used those as a template for his own map. I then asked him to make a map of his very own imaginary zoo and he filled this with the traditional zoo animals. I challenged him a little and asked where the dinosaur exhibit was and he looked at me like I had two heads, “Um, mom…dinosaurs are extincted.” This is when I stressed that it was an imaginary zoo and he could fill it with whatever he wanted. That is when he really let loose on his map and created some interesting exhibits like a squid exhibit, a special T-Rex exhibit, and some animals that I can’t even pronounce.

Just like our grocery store experiment, we also wrote the zoo words out and I had him practice on his writing. I am trying to encourage this as much as I can so he will have a great start to his first year at elementary school.

Once we completed this, I told Ethan that he could build a zoo out of the Little People sets that we had. He was very quiet for an hour while I worked and then told me that I could come downstairs. “Ticket please, ma’am.” Every toy in the world was out and lined up for an exhibit. I applaud the effort, and silently cringed as I saw every toy bin dumped to build the masterpiece.

Conclusion: This was a wonderful activity to foster creativity, build our writing skills, and also kept my son relatively quiet for an afternoon. I did have some clean-up on my hands, but building a zoo can sometimes create a bit of a mess. Many thanks to Let’s Explore for inspiring me as a parent!

Amy’s Notebook 06.19.08

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

This pattern for a bath puffy is so cute (@ t does wool)

I want to try using some of these awesome play dough tips (@ Organizing Connection)

These BBQ Beef Sandwiches look delicious (@ Simply Recipes)

I loved this list of ways you can help the flood victims (@ The Simple Dollar

I love everything about this summer birthday party theme– the recipes are linked here (@ ToddleBits)

Creating a you are special day for your kids is such a cool idea (@ Chocolate on My Cranium)

These fun sponges would be a great activity to make and play with outside (@ betz white)

I want to try this cake mix with Sprite in it (@ Bakerella)

We are going to have to have a toasty fire pit night for the family (@ Make & Takes)

I think playing with and learning about maps might be a fun activity for my son to do (@ Let’s Explore)

I adore this idea rolodex and have a zillion ideas to fill one up already (@ blah blah blog)

I want to try making this dishcloth pattern (@ homespun living)

I am loving the frugal food series and love the zillion things to do with eggs (@ Frugal Upstate)

I love this reminder to get rid of my clutter– a commitment for me this year (@ Small Notebook)

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Where else am I this week?

WSBT: Finding a Frugal Hobby
Blissfully Domestic: Chore Charts for Tweens
Frugal Hacks: Beach & Fun in the Sun Reads
Kenmore: Throw An Asian Inspired BBQ

Notebook Experiments: Are Homemade Bubbles Better?

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

Experiment: Can homemade bubbles trump our dollar store variety?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 05.29.08

Materials Needed: Please see Sparkle Power for specific directions on how to complete this experiment. I was able to find the glycerin behind the pharmacist counter at Super Target. The container of glycerin was $2.69 for four ounces. I also mixed my bubble solution up in an old milk jug (inspired by Frugal Dad’s uses for milk jugs) which made it easier to pour and store our homemade bubble solution. The bubble wands were found at the Dollar Spot at Target.

Results: Is it just me or are the dollar store bubbles horrible? My son is able to blow bubbles with these, but my daughter really got frustrated because she couldn’t seem to blow any bubbles before her wand would need to be dipped again.

I was really excited to try this recipe for bubbles and couldn’t wait to mix up a batch of these for the kids.

I followed Candace’s suggestions and actually mixed these up the night before so the ingredients had plenty of time to incorporate. I had some pink dish soap in my pantry so I used that- your bubbles will be whatever color of dish soap you choose.

The next night, we spent an entire evening blowing bubbles and everyone had to take a turn waving the wands through the air to make the giant bubbles. These bubbles were so amazing that our neighbors came over to ask where we had gotten the bubbles from. I couldn’t wait to share the recipe with them and pass it on! After seeing our bubble pictures, my mother-in-law is even going to make some of these for her own house so the kids can blow these bubbles over there too.

Conclusion: Homemade bubbles rocked the socks off of the dollar store bubbles. Thanks to Sparkle Power for such a fun recipe. I will never buy those bubbles again and I hope it is a recipe that we can pass down through generations!

Amy’s Notebook 06.12.08

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

These are some great ideas for teacher gifts for next year (hat tip to Parent Hacks, @ Midwest Mom)

I want to make this chalk paint with the kids (@ The Library Collective)

I want to try these pies in a jar (@ not martha)

This homemade no-bake cheesecake sounds delicious (@ Everyday Food Storage & Preparedness)

I love these ideas for things to do with your kids before they grow up (@ mommysecrets)

This cheese bread looks so yummy (@ Scribbit)

I really like these dishtowel crafts (@ Tip Nut)

Now this is the way to celebrate National Donut Day (@ Skip to My Lou)

The first adult sweater I have ever wanted to knit is finally here (@ Flint Knits)

These homemade dishtowels are so cute (@ Motherhood for Dummies)

I love this Father’s Day project (@ Havin’ Fun Yet?)

These boo boo bags would be another great teacher appreciation gift (@ Crafty Daisies)

The cutest embroidery pattern ever (@ Pimp Stitch)

These little travel suitcases would be great for the kids (@ Blue Yonder)

I need to make some strawberry shortcake this summer (@ Posie Gets Cozy)

A busy day activity with cornstarch and water (@ Pepper Paints)

This round-up of marinades looks great for all our summer grilling (@ Cheap Healthy Good)

Notebook Experiments: Blueberry Muffins & Loving Your Neighbors

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

Experiment: Can blueberry muffins help score us some new friends?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 03.27.08

Materials Needed: Please see little momma & company for specific directions on how to complete this experiment. I did add a little special ingredient of my own this time to the mix and that was some freshly grated lemon zest and one squeeze of a lemon into the batter. It just added a little hint of something in the background, but didn’t overpower that yummy blueberry taste! This ingredient is completely optional, but added a very fresh flavor to our muffins.

Results: I have been very inspired by Monica, at The Homespun Heart, and her wonderful intentions of being thoughtful and kind to their neighbors. When our new neighbors moved in next door, we wanted to welcome them in the kind of way that we would hope that we would have been welcomed into the neighborhood. What says welcome better than a big batch of blueberry muffins?

While I baked muffins, Ethan worked very carefully on a card for the new family. It had a picture of their house on the front and then a picture of our house inside. He invited them to “come over to our house sometime,” which was so sweet and sincere that sometimes I can’t help but kiss him.

He helped me make the surprise delivery and he was as proud as he could be! It was a great moment for both of us and a wonderful way to teach him how to share in some good old-fashioned hospitality.

Conclusion: The neighbors were so touched by our gesture, which made me very happy! It also was a fun thing for Ethan and I to do this project together.

I would have to say that this concluded another fabulous notebook experiment! I am hoping that I have started a movement of neighborly love- check out Keeping the Kingdom First and how they shared their love with their neighbors after reading my little tweets about my baking day. Her daughter is older and she was able to keep her occupied with this task and hopefully she has sealed herself a brand new friendship.

In this high-tech day and age, I was wondering if you know your neighbors? What kind of a relationship do you have with the people on your street? This is something I am trying to work on, but I find it can be very difficult to connect with others because everyone is so busy. How do you make those connections?

Amy’s Notebook 06.05.08

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

This list of kid-friendly sites is incredible (@ Rocks in My Dryer)

These little traveling felt boards are too cute (@ Plum Pudding)

I love this acorn travel yarn holder (@ Craftzine)

I am loving this summer list (@ whatever)

These reversible headbands would really dress up my summer wardrobe (@ the long thread)

When I try my hand at embroidery, I want to try this Little Dutch Girl pattern (@ Badbirds)

These cupcake bath fizzies are the cutest things ever (@ Diary of a Crafty Chica)

This photo type case is stunning (@ A)

I want to try this recipe for grilled summer vegetables (@ Serious Eats)

These strawberry lemonade bars would be great for all the cookouts I go to or these vanilla cupcakes would make a sweet treat for myself (@ Baking Bites)

I love this knitted bunting pattern (hat tip to Craftzine @ Green Mountain Mama)

I am going to have to try these ice cream cupcakes (@ Joy the Baker)

Amy’s Notebook 05.29.08

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

I want to try this homemade bubble solution (@ Sparkle Power)

This post on booties for babies made me a little misty-eyed, as the beautiful Soule Mama always does (@ Soule Mama)

These decorated lampshades would be a cool and easy project to do (@ design sponge)

These homemade fudgesicles sound delicious (@ Serious Eats)

I love this formula for disinfecting your sink in a green way (@ ohdeedoh)

I love this idea for using your child’s artwork on a cake (@ Bakerella)

I want to try this recipe for good old-fashioned burgers (@ The Kitchn)

This scarf pattern looks like a fun one, but I would need some more needles (@ bag ‘n’ trash)

I love this idea for displaying your child’s artwork (@ ohdeedoh)

This craft room makeover is fun and thrifty- part one, part two, part three (@ Storybook Woods)

I love this Baby Yeti sweater pattern (@ Berroco)

I really like this idea for organizing your child’s artwork (@ maya made)

These framed pictures would make the cutest teacher gift and display my child’s talents (@ the long thread)

I want to try this recipe for homemade caramel corn (@ Sew Liberated)

This recipe for lemon squares will have to be tried in our house (@ Polliwog’s Cakewalk)

I am loving this birthday theme and the ideas for the favors- perfect for my summer birthday for Ethan (@ Thompson Family-Life)

These ideas for practicing our writing are excellent (@ Blue Yonder)

This idea for blowing bubbles in the car is incredibly inventive (@ Parent Hacks)

I want to try this recipe for homemade soft pretzels (@ Pepper Paints)

I love my Dr. Scholl’s sandals so I was excited to see these ideas for embellishing sandals (@ Mad About Martha)

This pattern for a baby blanket looks super cute and easy (@ Purl Bee)

I love these email cards and they would be perfect for all of these birthdays coming up (@ Make & Takes)

These honey bars sound delicious (@ Grace Violet)

Amy’s Notebook 05.22.08

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

I want to make this Honey Wheat Bread and Better Butter (@ More Than Survival, Choosing a Simple Life)

This recipe for Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breasts would be great for our summer grilling (@ Simply Recipes)

These recycled cake stands will be great for summer entertaining (@ Design Sponge)

I also want to try grilling some pizzas this summer (@ Paper Palate)

I would never think to use a cream whipper for making dishes lighter (@ Serious Eats)

I love these ideas for protecting seedlings in pop bottles (@ The Kitchn)

Another pizza crust recipe that I can try (@ Home Ec 101)

I love the idea of sharing a day at the wholesale club with a friend (@ 4 Reluctant Entertainers)

These photo coasters would be a great gift for the grandparents (@ Coffee Pot People courtesy of Crafzine)

These tips for washing the car are fabulous- this is a definite on my to-do list (@ Gather Little by Little)

When I figure out how to embroider, I am making these little tin can covers (@ elsie marley)

This cocoa coconut granola sounds delicious (@ Everybody Likes Sandwiches)

This baby onsie pillow would be a wonderful memento from our baby years (@ ohdeedoh)

I love this idea for celebrating your children sleeping through the night (@ The Homespun Heart)

I want to try these play dough cookies (@ The Loria Family Dialogues)

I love these tips for creating a morning routine (@ simple mom)

This list of summer activities for $1 or less is great (@ Baby Cheapskate)