Back to School

Waking up at 6:30 this morning to make a special breakfast for the first day back to preschool was a pretty great way to start the day.  The house was quiet, the day full of potential.  And what better breakfast to have than a batch of homemade doughnuts with a side of blackberries?  I don't think any 4 year old could have wished for more (not to mention me because, of course, I had to help him eat them).  

As a back-to-school gift for his teacher we set aside some of the rainbow-sprinkled doughnut holes. Tossing them into a striped paper bag and adding a tag, we were good to go.  Oh, but not until after the obligatory picture on the front steps.

Seriously, friends: I have the cutest kid.  If it's back-to-school time at your house, too, I hope the year holds fabulous things for you.  And plenty of doughnuts.

DIY Gift: Homemade Ice Cream

Here's a simple and easy DIY idea for a summery gift everyone is bound to love: homemade ice cream in a jar.  All you need are some supplies that are probably already in your cupboard: a mason jar, a small square of fabric, some ribbon or twine, a tag, and a freshly mixed batch of your favorite ice cream.

Make the ice cream according to the directions and then pour the soft-serve-staged goodness into a clean, empty mason jar.  Put the jar in the freezer for 2-3 hours to allow the ice cream to ripen, or freeze completely.  When you're in need of a gift you can pull it out, place a square of fabric between the lid and the ring, and finish it off with the twine and a tag.  Or, you can always just grab a spoon and help yourself...

Here are some amazing ice cream recipes:

• Strawberry Ice Cream (as pictured above)


• Salted Butter Caramel Ice Cream


• Mixed Berries Sorbet


• Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream


• Mango Ginger Frozen Yogurt

What are your favorite frozen treats to make for summer?  

 

DIY: Bunting Advent Calendar

I am a big time procrastinator.  I wish I wasn't and I have seen improvements over the years, but here we are - December 1st - and do you know what I spent the morning doing?  Putting together this advent calendar.  Because it's time to start it already!  Can you believe that December is already here? 

I'm hoping that you're in the same boat as me (or know someone else who is) and need a quick and easy calendar that you can put together with things found around the house, too.  That's exactly what this calendar is: a raiding of my craft cupboard.  It turned out so darling, though! 

Here's how to do it yourself:

SUPPLIES:

• Paper scraps


• Scissors


• 1/8" hole punch


• Numbers: either rub-on, stickers or you can write them yourself


• Twine or string


• Ribbon

STEPS:

1. Cut the paper scraps into various widths and lengths.  You should have 25 in all (if you're starting with Dec. 1st; you can always start a little later in the month, too).  Fold in half and cut diagonally across the bottom corner to create points at the bottom of your "flags."


2. Using the hole punch, punch two small holes in the top of each flag, one in each corner.  Be careful not to get too close to the edge, so your paper won't rip when you thread the twine through.


3. Arrange the flags in a row in an eye-catching pattern.


4. Starting with the first flag add a number to the bottom, centered just above the points.


5. Flip each number over and add an activity for that day or a clue as to wear a toy or sweet is hidden.


6. Thread the twine through the holes and tie a ribbon bow on one side of the twine, if desired. 

That's all there is to it!  It's really very simple but looks fantastic when you're done.  We've decided to put a good range of different activities along with a few small goodies, so it's not all about the presents.  A few of my favorites:

1. Attend the city tree lighting


2. Make paper snowflakes


3. Make a gingerbread house


4. Go ice skating, tubing or sledding


5. Build a snowman


6. Visit Temple Square to see the lights
   


7. Make egg nog


8. Bake Christmas cookies


9. Make presents for friends


10. Make wrapping paper using potato stamps

What types of activites do you look forward to during the Christmas season?  Do you have fond memories of using advent calendars when you were a child?

DIY: Walnut Boats

Today I'm sharing a tutorial for how to make walnut boats over on Hip Hip Hooray.  They're adorable and so easy.  Take a peek!

{image by me}

How to Ship Muffins (or Cupcakes)

Recently, my father-in-law was involved in a boating accident and injured himself enough to land in the hospital for a few days.  Happily, he is home now and starting the long road to recovery.  To help cheer him on his journey my son and I decided to send him a little package full of one of his favorite treats: Banana Crunch Muffins.  (If you've never tried these, please do.  They're so good.)  I wanted to package them in an aesthetically pleasing way that would also help them stay intact during their travels.  My solution: an empty cereal box.

1.  Select an empty cereal box that is the same width as the box you'll be using for shipping.  Mine happened to be Frosted Cheerios.  Using scissors, cut holes just wide enough to securely hold your muffins.

2. Wrap your cereal box in some pretty paper.  I used Kraft, but some patterned wrapping paper might look even better.  Once wrapped, cut holes through the paper, too.  Lay tissue paper inside your shipping box and slide the cereal box in on top.  It should fit snugly and not wiggle.

3.  Nestle frozen, wrapped (plastic secured with a bit of tape or a sticker) muffins into their spaces.  Freezing them before shipment will help keep them fresher for their destination.

 

4.  Fold over the tissue and secure a pretty card on top.  To keep the muffins from sliding out if the box gets turned up side down, pad the remaining space at the top of the box with bubble wrap or bunched plastic grocery bags.  Be sure to fill it up to the top before closing the box and test drive it at home to make sure your muffins are truly secure. 

You could also use this method to ship cupcakes, although I would highly recommend sending them unfrosted.  Put frosting in a separate, small plastic container for the recipient to add on themselves. 

Have you ever shipped baked goods before?  What are your favorite methods?

{images by me}

daytrip society

When my husband and I decided to spend the morning wandering through the shops on Dock Square in Kennebunkport, Maine we figured we'd be seeing a lot of lobsters and lighthouses (which certainly have their place in a small coastal town).  We were pleasantly surprised to turn in the door at the Daytrip Society and see a heavenly array of products that were anything but typical tourist.  Owners Jessica Jenkins and Andy West have stocked the store with items inspired by nature - both getting out into it and bringing it into the home.

There were books, note cards, bird call noisemakers, pillows, toys for children, art supplies and so much more.  We spent the better part of an hour in the store looking at (and playing
with) everything.  I wanted to buy it ALL, but instead I sated myself with a twig pencil, a toy car for my son and a butterfly print to hang on my living room wall.  I know that next time I'm in Maine, the Daytrip Society will be right at the top of my list of places to visit - and I'll bring a little coin purse just for the occasion.

Luckily for me and you, though, they have a beautiful website to shop from home.   You could find a gift for just about anyone here.  One that's unique and fun, to boot!

{images by me}