Egg Carton Bunny

March 27, 2012 by 5 Comments
My girls love, love, LOVE to craft.  I don’t just mean a coloring page…they want to DO something.  So, I am always trying to find new ways to let out their inner artist.  
 
I had seen some egg carton crafts on Pinterest, but most of them were either too hard or had supplies we didn’t have.   
 
So, I modified and got lucky and came up with this super cute little bunny.  My girls love them and play with them a lot.
 
 

 Step 1

cut your paper egg carton up and trim the edges off
 

Step 2

squirt some paint onto a paper plate and paint with a cotton swab
 

Step 3

cut out some ears with little flaps to fold under and paint

Step 4

glue the ears and pom pom tail on
 

Step 5

draw the face with a marker

 

linked to: Grateful Belly, Savvy Southern Style, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Home Stores A to Z, Homemaker on a Dime, Moms by Heart

Laugh, Love, & Craft

 

 

 

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Outdoor Fun With Kids: Scavenger Hunt (with printable)

March 26, 2012 by 1 Comment
I love being outside with my kids, but sometimes we need something else to do to entertain ourselves out there.  I saw a couple ideas for scavenger hunts from I Am Momma Here Me Roar and Sun Scholars and was inspired to create one for my kids.  
 

Click here to print Scavenger Hunt.

 

1.  Print off this Nature Scavenger Hunt (click above).  
 
2.  Take it outside and read the items to your children.
 
3.  Either go on a walk, or look around in your backyard for the items.  
 
4.  Put an “x” next to the ones you find! 
 
 
 

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How to make Homemade Ranch Dressing

March 21, 2012 by 2 Comments
 
 
I love, love, love homemade dressings.  They taste so good, the ingredients can be natural,  AND it sounds impressive to say you made it from scratch.  (Really, it isn’t hard to make them–you just need to be able to dump and stir.  But, I’ll keep it a secret for you so your friends and family can still be impressed!)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ranch Dressing    (click here to print)

adapted from here
 
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk (see note below, vinegar and regular milk)
1/2 teaspoon chives (optional, if you have it)
1/2 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon dill
1/4 heaping teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 heaping teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon sea salt (table salt is fine)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
 
1. If you don’t have buttermilk (I never do) you can make it:  In a 1/2 measuring cup pour 1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar.  Next, add milk to fill to top.  Let sit while you are getting the other ingredients together.
 
2.  In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and dried seasonings.  Add buttermilk and whisk together.  
 
3.  Refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving (if possible).
 
 
**To save time, double or quadruple the mix and keep in a labeled plastic bag or sealed container.  At the time you want to make it: 1.  Make buttermilk 2.  mix mayonnaise with 3 1/4 dry ranch mix (if used as written) 3. add buttermilk to mixture and whisk.  4.  refrigerate
 
 
 
 
You will be so impressed with yourself and your family will love it!  What do you think?  Do you have other homemade dressings you make?  I’ll be adding more recipes for others soon.
 
Linked to: Laugh, Love, and Craft

Filed Under: For the Kitchen Tagged With: , ,

How to Make Resurrection Eggs

March 15, 2012 by 39 Comments
 
I want my children to know the Easter story.  I want them to be able to tell it to me and know it in their heart.  I have seen Resurrection eggs for sale and liked them, but found them to be a little pricey.  I have seen some people make them on their own, but they included fun little objects for each of the eggs.  I’ll be honest, that just sounded like too much work.  Plus, it was going to be difficult to do for each of my 3 children because I knew they would each want their own set!
 
I decided other people might have this same situation, so I set out to make a download that everyone could use if they just:
  • printed these two pages
  • found 12 plastic eggs
  • kept (or emptied) an egg carton
Ok, ready for the easy directions?
 
 
 

1. print the free download (Click here to print.)

If possible, print on card stock to make them sturdier.  The first page contains the 12 cards you will use to tell the Easter story.  Each card has the picture and word(s) to describe that part of the story.  The second page has a short version of the Easter story to tell to your children when they open the corresponding eggs. 
 

2.  cut out the 12 cards

I like to use a paper trimmer to cut them, but scissors would work fine too.  (This is the paper trimmer I have.)
 

 **3.  totally optional–laminate the cards**

I like to laminate mine because I have a laminator and it makes the cards sturdier.  However, this step is optional because you have this download to print as many as you need if something happens to them!  (I have this laminator and love, love it!)

 

4. collect 12 plastic, Easter eggs and egg carton

I found a bag of 42 eggs for $1.97 at Walmart.  (I made a set for each of my 3 children.)

 

5.  write the number on the eggs

I used a permanent marker to write the number on the outside of each egg.  I also like to write the number inside the corresponding spot for each egg in the egg carton if they get dumped out!

 

6.  put the cards in the eggs

Now you are ready to put the cards inside the correct eggs and snap them shut.
 

7.  share the Easter story

Have your child open and egg and you tell them the part of the Easter story that goes with that picture.  Next time, have your child tell you the Easter story.
 
 
Have you made these before?  Are you going to do them this year?  I’d love to see pics if you make them! 
 
 
 
 
 
Linked to: House of Hepworths, Gluesticks, Thrifty 101, Making it with Allie, The 36th Avenue, Grateful Belly

Somewhat Simple

 
 

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Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

March 11, 2012 by 4 Comments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So you signed up to bring a dessert to your next event.  And you want to impress everyone, right?  This recipe will be your go-to for every function.  Kids love it.  Adults love it.  And it makes a ton!
 
Click here to print the recipe.
 
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
I start by making the frosting first.  This way I don’t have to clean my mixer paddles after touching raw eggs in the bar mixture.
 
Frosting
Ingredients:
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup butter melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
Put the cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl.  Soften it in the microwave.  Put the butter in a small bowl and melt in the microwave.  Add butter and vanilla to mixing bowl.  Blend with mixer.  Add powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pumpkin Bars 
Ingredients:
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 15 oz can pumpkin
  • 2 cup flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
Directions:
1.  Add all ingredients into large mixing bowl.  Blend with mixer (doesn’t have to be cleaned after frosting!).
2.  Spray jelly roll pan (the BIG cookie sheet with sides)  with non-stick cooking spray and turn oven to 350 degrees.
4.  Pour mixture into jelly roll pan.
5.  Bake 20 min. or until tooth pick comes out clean.
6.  After the bars cool, drop big spoonfuls of frosting in about 6 places on the bars.  Use your spatula to smooth frosting out all over the bars.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Enjoy!  I’d love to hear you rave about them when you make them.  :)  Oh my, trust me, they ARE good!!  I love pumpkin in everything all throughout the year! What are some of your favorite pumpkin recipes?
 
Linked to:
 

 

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How to Make Taco Seasoning Mix

March 7, 2012 by 5 Comments
 
Buying store-bought taco seasoning mixes can add up, plus they can have MSG in them.  Homemade taco seasoning mix is one of those things that is so simple, and super cost effective.  You will love this recipe. 
 
Plus, you have the added benefit of playing around with the recipe to make it perfect for your family.  Don’t want salt?  No problem.  Don’t put it in.  Like more spice?  Great.  Add more chili powder.
 
Click here to print the recipe.
 

Taco Seasoning Mix

Modified from this recipe.
 
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt (or table salt)
 
Directions:
1. Mix all the ingredients with a whisk, or shake in a jar/container.
2. Use around 1 tablespoon or more to your favorite recipe.
3. Store in airtight container up to a year.

Step 1:

Gather all the ingredients and a bowl. 

Step 2:

Add ingredients to bowl and whisk. 
or shake!  :)
 

Final thoughts:

  • Add as much as you would like to your recipe.  Start small, you can always add more!
  • This recipe could be doubled if you use a lot of taco seasoning mix and don’t want to keep making more.
  • I have recipes coming soon that will use this mix.
Are you excited to try this one?  Have you made your own before?  It is so easy, you will love it!
 
Linked to:
Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo
Homemaker on a Dime

Filed Under: For the Kitchen

How to Make Disposable Diaper Wipes

March 5, 2012 by 1 Comment
 
I started making my own disposable diaper wipes a few years ago.  I love them!  They are more natural and cheaper than the store-bought version. 
 
Now, I use cloth diapers, so I use cloth wipes, but I wanted to share how to do this with my disposable diaper friends.  I am going to use mine as eye make-up disposable wipes.
 
 You will be amazed at how easy it is to do.  Are you ready?
 

Homemade Disposable Diaper Wipes

Ingredients:
  • Bounty Paper Towels (select-a-size)
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons baby wash (natural if possible)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (canola oil, olive oil, and coconut oil work)
  • container
  • tea tree oil (optional
1.  Cut the rolls of paper towels in half with a serrated knife.
2. Pour water into container.  Add baby wash and oil.  Stir.
3.  Add 2 drops of tea tree oil (used to prevent mold) optional.
4.  Drop the half a roll of paper towel into the water.  Wait until water has soaked into the paper towels and remove the center cardboard tube.
5.  Pull wipes up from the center.

Step 1

Cut paper towel in half with serrated knife over cutting board.
 
 
 
 

 Step 2

Add to the container: 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons oil, 1-2 tablespoons baby wash (and totally optional 2 drops tea tree oil).  Stir.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Step 3

Drop paper half roll paper towel (fuzzy side down) into solution.  Wait for cardboard to soften in water and remove.   Pull wipes from center.
 
 
 
 
 
 **A note of caution. **
If you seal the lid on tightly, you are almost guaranteed for your wipes to mold at some point.   I just leave the lid cracked open and have not had a problem with that. 
 
How about you, have you used your own wipes before?  Do you have any questions about the process? 
 
 
Linked to:
Flamingo Toes
Nifty Thrifty Things
 

 

 
 

 

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