Baby Shower Idea

These were attached to a gift at a baby shower and I couldn't resist sharing them with you! My brilliant friend (You know who you are, Alix!) made these clever little lollipops from baby washcloths and spoons. I adore them!
*The cloths and spoons are held together by scotch tape, if you are wondering.

Snack attack

Since just about everyone in my house loves to eat, I'm always scrambling to pack snacks before we head out. Last week, I filled baggies with small portions of different snacks and kept them in a snack basket near the door. Now, we just grab a snack and go! The best part is that our 4 year old can get her own with no assistance required. I have to say that the snack basket has kept me from eating quick and unhealthy snacks and since the portions are small, it has also kept me from over eating!

*Some healthy snack ideas include: nuts, trail mix, popcorn, whole grain cereal, fruit leather, apples, bananas, dried fruit, muffins, and granola.

Fun Gift Idea

Gift Idea for Kids or Couples – The I Like Books
If you have not heard of these books, they make a great gift for children and couples! My kids have really loved using their “I Like” books. These fun books are structured similarly to a journal with places for parents or spouses to write in what they “like” about their children or spouse. The books are an effective way to communicate your love to the special people in your life. My children have asked grandparents, aunts and uncles to write in their books as well leaving a written record of love.

* For more info go to www.theilikebook.com

Testing, 1, 2, 3!

Soil Testing

Most problems that we have with gardens and lawns have to do with the wrong soil ph. Instead of guessing what your soil needs, save yourself some time and money and plants by having your soil tested. This quick test consists of taking a few samples of your dirt and mailing it off to the experts. You will get a letter in a week or two with specific recommendations for exactly what your lawn or garden needs to be healthy this spring and summer!

Look up your local extension agency for the best resource for testing. Here in VA we use Virginia Tech’s services and the cost is $10.

* You will also be doing the environment a favor as run off from unabsorbed fertilizers causes problems in nearby lakes, rivers etc.

Rice Bowls

This little gem is a post from Susi the dietician. She has inspired me to have rice bowls tonight!

When making rice, I always add an extra cup to the pot. With the leftover rice already cooked, I have a night off from cooking – almost! As you may know, kids love to arrange their own plates at meals. With the re-heated leftover rice, we often have “rice bowls” or if you are a Chipotle fan you could call them “burrito bowls.” That means I clean out the fridge and call it fun! We often have a Tex-Mex theme using up avocado, lettuce, re-fried beans, leftover taco meat, cheese, salsa, olives etc. Because the offerings are all healthy, I don’t concern myself with whether or not my child ate some of everything!
                                                

         

*For a delicious and fast homemade re-fried bean recipe, see the “cooking” tab

Save the plants!

If your child's sandbox has a cover, use it to protect plants from a late frost. This is the time of year that brings an occasional cold night, so be ready! Simply place your pots into the sandbox and cover. No more bringing them into the house to clutter up your kitchen! My only question is why I didn't think of this sooner?!

Straw Flowers

These adorable "blooms" are perfect for your child's next party or get-together. I made these for Easter yesterday and they were simple to make. Just fold a cupcake liner and cut a decorative edge on the top. Unfold, cut a slit in the bottom and slide onto a straw. I've shown below the different cuts for various shapes. You will need regular and miniature cupcake liners.

Easter Entertaining

Give your Easter lunch or dinner a little extra flair with these quick and easy touches:

Tuck sprigs of rosemary into your ham biscuit tray

Arrange clusters of blooms from the yard on platters of fruit or desserts

Anchor a table with this fresh display.

1. Fill a trifle bowl with pampas grass and water. Float flowers on top.

2. Set bowl in center of table and twist to gather the tablecloth.

3. Scatter more flowers and you're done!

 

Happy Easter, everyone!

Recycled Easter Eggs

Recycle those extra eggs in this fun project! Here's what you need: glue gun, or glue, buttons, stickers, markers, rick rack, the pointy halves of plastic eggs.

Here's what you get: adorable miniature tea cups!

Here's how you do it: hot glue a button onto the bottom of each egg. Decorate using glitter, pom poms, rick rack, ribbon, beads, you name it! Hot glue on a pipe cleaner handle and you're good to go!

Cookbook

A recommendation from Susi the dietitian:
It seems many of us are experimenting with meatless meals these days whether for our health, budget or because it’s en vogue! Whatever your reasons are, I highly recommend a new cookbook entitled Appetite For Reduction by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Thus far the recipes my family has tried have been hits! The “Hottie Black-Eyed Peas and Greens” and “Ginger Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples” gave some of our favorite foods a refreshing twist!