Welcome to the Summer Edition of my weekly notebook! I know that once summer hits you all want to spend time with the kids and not as much on the computer (me, too!), so during June, July, & August the Notebook posts will be short and sweet with one or two photos and a handful of links.

Oh, but the links will still be the same quality that I always look for, just with a summer mentality! I’ll look for ideas that are quick, fun, memorable, involve the kids (or not!) and that will help to inspire you over the summer to cook seasonally, craft, and do projects that may actually get something checked off that to-do list!

Source: Serious Eats

Like this yummy looking treat that would make a special summer breakfast. Since I’ve already got blueberries on the brain (Blueberry Sangria Lemonade, anyone?), it’s no wonder I want to try Apple Blueberry Pie-Cake!

We’re so excited to be grilling again – how about a grilled Thai Sweet & Spicy Shrimp Pizza? Yum.

Source: Apartment Therapy

Hopefully, we’ll all be enjoying warmer weather soon and having some fun and creative kid water-play ideas will come in handy – like this awesome ‘carkidwash!’

Making a simple princess bed for our girls might just inspire some magical summer nights.

I’m loving these tips for adding color to your rooms for summer – my favorite is the yellow bedroom and huge painting, wow!

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

Source: Design Sponge

I absolutely love the gorgeous fabrics and fun look this patchwork shower curtain brings to the room.

Using a machine stitch to make diy vintage tea towels seems an easy way to create beautiful and unique gifts.

You know I love a great vase, and this glitter dipped vase would sure add a bit of sparkle to our table.

This diy mdf-mounted photo only looks expensive – what a great way to show off a beautiful photo!

Source: It’s Taylor Made

Here’s a fantastic way to use the ever-growing pile of fabric scraps! I can just see these mini fabric lamps decorating a girl’s room or a colorful porch.

Speaking of porches, I loved how this post about creating the ultimate backyard breaks the planning down to four areas and helps make landscape planning not so overwhelming.

I think the kids and I need to make a chalkboard summer bucket list like this one to plan some fun things for the summer!

Making some diy watercolor art with the kids looks like it would be so fun (and easy!) that it should be one of the top things on our summer list.

Source: Skip to My Lou

Dont’ these whole wheat and flax pancakes look delicious? I’m glad they’re healthy, too!

Got ant problems? This all-natural ant killer may be the solution.

I really like to up the nutrition in regular dishes, and this recipe for meatballs with zucchini added seems like a winner.

These strawberry coffee cake muffins are making me drool – what a great way to use seasonal strawberries!

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

Source: Joy The Baker

Wouldn’t you love to spend some time at a beautiful table like this for Mother’s Day?

I’m not sure if these kitchen storage ideas are life-changing, but some of them are really cool, especially using a fun soap dish for brush storage.

I’ve got to try making no-sew washable pillow covers made with glue – it sounds like a quick and easy way to update using some new fabrics.

I’m excited to find this super easy and adorable way to store twine – it’s easy to use and looks good at the same time!

This small hallway makeover that used maps for wallpaper is so amazing.

Source: Simply Scratch

I love Thai flavors, and chicken satay is a favorite – but combining it with a ginger-coconut rice? Yum!

Okay, peanut butter, chocolate, and pretzels together in a cookie? My kids will LOVE these.

Oh my goodness, I’ve got to find some opportunity to make these sweet little cupcakes that look like mini tubs of popcorn!

This lemon asparagus couscous salad with tomatoes would make a perfect light lunch – maybe for a Mother’s Day luncheon?

Source: Vixen Made

This is seriously a great party theme – how fun! And it would work for men, children or anyone who likes camping and the outdoors.

No way I would’ve ever thought this fun necklace started out as gift cards!

I love doing this kind of melted crayon art with my kiddos – and the fact that it helps to use up those crayon pieces that seem to multiply each year!

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

Source: Little Birdie Secrets

I’m totally in love with these adorable Duct Tape Bags!

If you’ve been making a lot of crafts with washi tape (remember these cute thumbtacks from a previous Notebook?) than you’ll love this Washi Tape Storage Ideas round-up.

I can think of so many times this personalized countdown calendar-in-a-jar would be fun to have – Christmas, birthdays – even waiting for a vacation or visit from grandparents!

Source: Apartment Therapy

I think these bed canopies created with hula hoops are so fun and beautiful!

Have you ever thought about spring cleaning your make-up drawer? It’s not the first thing I think about when Spring cleaning, but this is a great reminder.

I think this diy sheet music wall art would be awesome in a music room or a music-themed kid’s room.

Using my instagram photos to make sticky notes just seems like a match made in heaven.

Source: Skinny Taste

With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, this easy crock pot chicken for tacos and tostadas just might have to be on our menu.

Why not make it an international week and include a refreshing rice noodle bowl with shrimp and vegetables on the menu? I love mixing our menus up!

This hazelnut chocolate torte with espresso ganache is going to have to make it onto the menu soon, too!

And this homemade conditioner from easy-to-find ingredients? Awesome!

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

Source: Shutter Bean

Remember when I said last week that I want to find ways to add kale to our meals? This broccoli kale slaw is making the list for sure.

I’m hoping my family will flip for these quesadillas filled with breakfast foods, because they look so good!

This chicken skillet dinner looks amazing and would be an easy weeknight meal.

Goodness, I think I’m going to have to make these incredible cream cheese brownies with toffee and pecans soon!

Source: Fiskars.com

This has got to be one of the cleverest ways to use old wine corks that I’ve seen in a long time – I’m already thinking of the people in my life who would enjoy getting a wine cork pendant necklace as a gift.

We always seem to wear out our fitted sheets before the top ones, so I’m excited to find this tutorial on how to make a flat sheet into a fitted one!

I’m loving this neon dip tote bag – a great way to add a bright and fun accent for the warmer months.

I can never get enough organizing tips so I’m finding this post on how to organize your house really motivating – and really pretty, too!

Source: Chicken Scratch NY

This diy tic-tac-toe game made with painted rocks and wood is seriously cute – it’s making me anxious for the days of hanging out in the backyard with the kiddos!

Here’s a fun and unique idea – make cute flower planters using large cardboard paper mache initials.

I really like the way this front door and porch makeover refreshed this porch – especially the color choice for the door.

This recycled key wind chime looks like a quick – and quirky – craft to do with the kids. Now just to start collecting old keys…

Spring always makes me think about spiffing up the outside of our home, so I found these ideas to add curb appeal to your home really inspiring!

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

Source: HoneyBear Lane

I think this kid’s tool bench made from an old table is beyond creative – and it’s vintage vibe makes it all the sweeter!

Any birthday boy or girl will be proud to wear one of these birthday badges that are easily made with the accompanying printable.

This simple yarn bow garland would be a wonderful addition to my daughter’s bedroom – maybe above the bed or across a bookshelf?

This list of 25 Inexpensive Date Ideas has given me some new ideas to make our date nights a bit more creative.

Source: Sugar Bee Crafts

I adore the modern, slightly crazy look of these charming felt coasters – and the fact that they are an easy way to use up felt pieces leftover from other projects.

A row of spring flowers will look so awesome in this diy wall hung test tube vase.

One day I’d love to use all our old t-shirts to create a cool braided rug like this.

These bright stenciled tea towels would add a pop of color to the kitchen – just what we need for spring.

Source: No Biggie

With a cookie bottom, chocolate filling, and a meringue topping, these three layer bars make my mouth water just looking at them!

I’ve been wanting to add more kale to our diet since it’s so good for us and this kale and lemon pasta would be a great way to get more into our diet.

I can’t wait to try this rosemary cheddar batter bread – it’s not only yummy looking but easy, too.

These lemon-ginger crispy treats sound like such an interesting, grown-up crispy treat, don’t they?

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

Source: Design Mom

With Downton Abbey in the off-season, I may be making a set of diy quote napkins – using some of the Dowager Countess’s best lines – to help bridge the gap.

Sometimes I just don’t have time to do a big clean and this post about the art of power cleaning should help me come up with more ways to spot-clean and maintain order.

These flower sachets made with felt are so colorful and visual I wouldn’t want to hide them away in a drawer – maybe piled in a bowl on a table?

I’m loving this light and bright refreshed dining hutch – what a great before and after!

Source: Living Locurto

I love chocolate chips, peanut butter cookies, and brownies, so I’m sure I will adore Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Brownies!

If you’ve got Easter candy left over from the holidays, you’ll definitely want to check out these 15 yummy-looking recipes that use candy.

I’m looking forward to arming myself against junk food temptations with some of these tips for eating healthy on the go.

When spring hits, I’m always in the mood for salads and having sixteen ideas for tasty spring salads should go a long way to helping me with our menus.

Source: Skip To My Lou

What a great idea to make a gift-in-a-jar with an Earth Day theme that includes activities and treats!

I have a few Easter eggs left over that I hope to use for one of these great kids projects for upcylcling plastic eggs.

This easy technique for kids to make modern art that looks like stained glass for canvas is so clever and should be a lot of fun.

A great idea to help spur kid creativity, a lazy susan art caddy just might be in our future…

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

Source: How About Orange

I’m loving these super easy and fabulous thumbtacks covered with washi tape.

Here are some great DIY ideas to help achieve pretty, styled bookshelves.

I want to borrow some of these creative ways to use indoor plants to bring more spring green into our house.

With the arrival of spring, this list of amazing cleaning tips is just what I need!

Source: Sugar Bee Crafts

I think these matching bow-ties and hair flowers turned out adorable, and I’m totally in awe of the fabulous braid the diy flower is resting in.

This stenciled wall of horses is seriously fantastic!

I’m loving this bike-themed birthday party and think it would be great for any age – so clever.

These are the cutest spring chalkboard and flower jars – and a great way to reuse all those glass jars.

Source: Gimme Some Oven

For all the things I’d like to accomplish, I’m sure I’ll need the energy from these awesome looking trail mix bites, don’t you?

I’m thinking the lemon-tarragon flavors in this pasta salad would be so refreshing – a great way to celebrate spring!

My family will love this slightly sweet maple popcorn.

I’m looking forward to trying some of these great recipes for using up leftover ham.

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

Source: Make It-Love It

Easy and packing a wow, I think that these diy fabric shoelaces will make fabulous gifts for the kids on my list.

I’m loving these cute Easter hair clips – and the fact that they are easy enough to finish in time for the holiday!

I’m also excited to find this sweet Easter tag printable for my holiday goodies – another quick and easy holiday embellishment.

These cages full of nesting materials for birds is such a great idea – and a great way to use our art supply leftovers!

Source: Olino Hobby

I love these colorful rugs that are made by crocheting yarn around old t-shirts!

This Easter party decorated with vintage items like mason jars and rustic wood has given me some great ideas to use on our holiday table.

I adore the tree wall mural in this cool baby boy nursery remodel.

Source: The Kitchn

It’s the lemon cream on this yummy looking Lemon-Blueberry Cake that makes me want to make this as soon as possible.

This colorful strawberry and spinach salad sounds fresh and seasonal right about now, doesn’t it?

Thanks to this simple method, I may be cooking all our brown rice in the oven from now on.

Eggs and hash browns all in one easy-to-make cupcake shape? Yes, please!

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!