8.31.2012
Juniper's Book Club
I can't tell you how many times I've heard or said "I wish I were in a book club..."
So let's do this thing! Let's make our own club, and choose our own books, and tell our own stories! Let's make it casual, where you can drop in if you like the book and no problem if you don't.
Are you in???
I'm thinking that the last Friday of each month could be Hope Studios' Book Club where we can discuss that we've read.
Let's begin with a roll call of everyone interested and your vote for our first book...
September Book Choices:
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Fifty Shades Trilogy
It's Feedback Friday...
Would you like to start our own online book club?
What title would get your vote for the first discussion?
Is one book a month too ambitious?
8.30.2012
Butt Dial
I saw this on Facebook and it was so true for me! I've been known to listen to a whole butt dial message on my machine until it runs out of time and disconnects! Ask the Big Guy about last year's fantasy football draft party I listened to after he butt dialed me in the middle of it ...
Does it come as a surprise to you that I also snooped out my Christmas presents and sampled Easter candy before the holiday every year that I was young?
8.28.2012
Tutorial Tuesday!
Recipe Organization:
DIY Shabby Mini-Topiaries:
DIY Flower Canopy:
CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):
#1 Mom Dress No More!
#2 Halloween Recipes
#3 Homemade Beauty Products
Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)
* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog
address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.
* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.
* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!
Ready? Teach Me Stuff!
8.27.2012
50 Shades of Gray in Disguise
While reading 50 Shades, I was a little self-conscious if I had the book out in public. Yeah, I'm an adult and I can read what I want...but it invited a little too much public discussion when people noticed the cover.
So, I cut some scrapbook paper to size and attached it to the cover with spray adhesive.
You can follow directions to make the stick permanent or temporary.
You won't tell, will you?
8.24.2012
Sensitive Issues
We've had a sensitive issue arise just as school is about to begin for the year.
I don't even have a question to ask you, but I can explain the facts as I know them and let you say what pops into your head regarding reactions and how you would handle explaining it to your own child.
My oldest son is going into 8th grade. A student he has attended school with since kindergarten has decided he doesn't want to be a boy anymore. He will be starting this school year using a female version of his name and dressing as a girl.
This boy has begun hormone therapy.
The boy will be using the teacher's lounge for a bathroom and locker room.
It's Feedback Friday...
8.23.2012
Summer Vacation
Our New Jersey vacation was a blast again this year! We rented a house with two other families and had fun in the sand...
Rented a boat...(yes, that is 11 people on a 20 foot boat! We figured we had less than a foot per person and after about 5 hours it felt like about 6 inches per person!)
Jumped and played...
And took our own family photo!
8.21.2012
Tutorial Tuesday!
Sweet Treats Kids Can Make:
Blanket and Onesie Cupcakes:
Lego Party:
CLICK PICKS (last weeks most clicked links):
#1 Jewelry Organization
#2 How to Make 20 Different Fabric Flowers
#3 Not Your Typical Walking Tacos
Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)
* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog
address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.
* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.
* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!
Ready? Teach Me Stuff!
8.20.2012
A Greasy Situation
It's funny how we all have our little tricks for this and that around the house. My mother-in-law saves a coffee can under the kitchen sink to collect cooking grease. She stayed at our house and looked under the sink... and found...NO COFFEE CAN!She was thrown for a loop. I giggled because it takes a heck of a lot more to throw me for a loop (but I digress).
Anyway, we had to describe step-by-step how we handle "greasy situations" around our house.
Line a bowl with foil:
8.17.2012
Kids Flying Solo
The Today Show covered a story about a 10 year old child who was temporarily lost (for 45 minutes) while flying solo to camp. The parents hired an escort to meet her daughter upon landing who never showed up. The child had no cell phone. Another airline staffer helped the girl locate her connecting flight and she got to camp safely.
"United Airlines’ unaccompanied minor policy is standard compared to other airlines. Unaccompanied kids ages 5 to 7 can travel, but only on nonstop flights. Kids ages 8 to 11 can travel on any flight (nonstop or connecting); and kids 12 to 17 can pay a fee to use the unaccompanied minor service or can also travel as adults. "(source)
It's Feedback Friday...
What age do you think is old enough to fly solo?
Do you believe the airline is 100% to blame or share blame with the parents in this case?
Would you allow your child to fly alone?
8.16.2012
Lovely Pavlova
I pinned this recipe for delicate Pavlova to my Cookin' Mama board a few months ago and loved the idea of these white pillows filled with yummy things as dessert. This recipe, originating at Simply Recipes, was quick, easy, and elegant looking. I actually made this dessert for Mother's Day!
Pavlova is simply a delicate meringue that is whipped:
Baked...
And filled...
Pavlova
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar OR 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar OR distilled white vinegar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces, about 6) large egg whites, preferably room temperature
- Pinch salt
Place rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to
275°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the vanilla
and vinegar (if using) into a small cup. Stir the cornstarch into the
sugar in a small bowl.
In a large bowl of mixer, fitted with whisk attachment,
whip egg whites, cream of tartar (if using) and salt, starting on low,
increasing to medium speed until soft peaks start
to become visible, and the egg white bubbles are very small and uniform,
approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
Increase speed to medium-high, slowly and gradually sprinkling in the
sugar-cornstarch mixture. A few minutes after these dry ingredients are
added, slowly pour in the vanilla and vinegar (if you didn't use cream
of tartar.) Increase speed a bit and whip until meringue is glossy, and
stiff peaks form when the whisk is lifted, 4 to 5 minutes.
Spoon the meringue into 8-10 large round mounds that are 3
inches wide on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicon
liner. With the back of a spoon, create an indentation in the middle of
the mound for holding the filling once meringue is baked.
Gently lift from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack. Will keep in a tightly sealed container at room temperature, or individually wrapped, for up to a week if your house is not humid.
Served topped with your favorite filling - fresh berries, lemon curd, raspberry or blueberry sauce, and freshly whipped cream. (I added a scoop of ice cream!)
Enjoy!
8.14.2012
Tutorial Tuesday!
Summer Bucket List:
Mason Jar Tumblers:
Make Ahead Meal Ideas:
CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):
#1 24 DIY Jewelry Tutorials
#2 DIY Glass Cleaner
#3 How to Clean Your Dyson Vacuum
Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)
* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog
address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.
* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.
* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!
Ready? Teach Me Stuff!
8.13.2012
Car Garbage Can
For some reason, garbage collection in our car has always been a challenge. If I choose a garbage bag that attaches to the back of the seat someone is complaining that it is in their face, if I choose one that attaches in the front or back of the car only certain passengers can reach it, if I put one on the right, the person on the left can't reach it...It's so frustrating!
Not to mention that garbage bags meant for cars are either expensive and/or too flimsy to hold up.
I really love projects that use items I might otherwise throw away. So, why not use garbage to collect garbage?!?
I found an empty cereal box that fit into the bottom of my car door, cut the front a bit lower than the back, covered it with pretty paper, and lined it with a bag.
Place it back into the door and you have a garbage can for everyone! It's easy, inexpensive, and convenient. No more complaining about garbage!
8.07.2012
Tutorial Tuesday!
Mermaid Pool Party:
DIY Craft Desk:
Mexican Corn on the Cob: (makes me think of my kids' fave movie - Nacho Libre!)
Olympic Cookies:
Click Picks: (last week's most clicked links)
#1 Grilled Blue Cheese Potato Salad
#2 DIY Camera Bag
#3 Omelet in a Bag
Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)
* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog
address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate interest.
* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.
* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!
Ready? Teach Me Stuff!
8.05.2012
Chin People
Remember Chin People?
Stick eyes on your chin and photograph yourself upside down and you get a particularly strange little person!
Add a video camera and you can have hours of fun!
Presenting The Blob Men in concert, by Hope Studios Kids:
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