Category: Your Home

  • How do you celebrate birthdays?

    —

    by

    Amy
    in

    Today is our German daughter’s Sweet Sixteenth birthday. Back in Germany, she would be celebrating with her brother who shares her birthday, and also with so many in her family who have birthdays in September.  It sounds like her family’s September is quite a month! She told me that at home the whole family, except…

  • Peanut-Free Lunch and Snack ideas

    —

    by

    Amy
    in , ,

    I just LOVE it when someone is helpful and does something right. My daughter’s school has just made the change this year to be peanut-free. This week I received a letter from the school director that not only alerted us to the policy change, but also explained the seriousness of the allergy and gave us…

  • Butterfly Cupcakes

    —

    by

    Amy
    in , ,

    I am soooooo excited about my latest creation with my daughter. We made these this afternoon for a friend…

  • Ready for the next step

    —

    by

    Amy
    in , , ,

    I’m making some special cupcakes and have to stop to run an errand. But my kitchen waits… ready for the next step. (I can’t wait to try it out in a bit!!)

  • A few frugal tips…

    —

    by

    Amy
    in

    First, let me confess that a few of those who know me, like really know me, might laugh at the idea of me writing a frugal tip… but I do have it in me. I am not frugal most of the time. I am definitely willing to pay for convenience. And just for clarification, so…

  • Christmas gift-passing game

    —

    by

    Amy
    in

    My son’s class played a very clever gift-passing game today during their Christmas party that I thought I should share with you. The kids enjoyed it and the grown-ups enjoyed watching… and a few of us decided that our extended families just might get to play this game very soon. Here’s how it works: The…

  • Graham Cracker Mangers

    —

    by

    Amy
    in , ,

    Last year I was looking for something fun for my son’s first grade class to do during their Christmas party. I wanted to stay in budget and along the lines of something Christian Christmas-y not Santa Christmas-y. I loved the idea of gingerbread house decorating, but that was both costly and, although cute, I  knew…

  • Advent Calendar for Moms and Families

    —

    by

    Amy
    in

    Last night I had a few friends over to make advent calendars for moms and families. It was a wonderful night of visiting, relaxing, eating, enjoying each other’s company and making something to prepare our hearts for Christmas. For the calendars,  each day of December leading up to Christmas Day holds a special simple fun…

  • Two castle cakes: One Lego, one for princesses…

    —

    by

    Amy
    in

    I just finished making these cakes for our school dinner auction tonight and I just had to share: No toys were stolen from my children for these projects… I promise. Although my son was puzzled when he saw the pieces I borrowed from his stash to make the dots sitting in the sink covered in…

  • Lemon Cheesecake Bar Disaster

    —

    by

    Amy
    in , , ,

    Aaaargh. I was feeling like such the model mom a few moments ago. (That’s when you need to watch out, I think!!) My daughter and I had just baked a yummy pan of lemon cheesecake bars and slipped them into the oven. Then she settled down for a sweet nap. My wonderful cleaning ladies were…

  • Finding a blogging balance (some link love)

    —

    by

    Amy
    in

    My sister in law is an amazing woman. I am so thankful that my brother and she were married 16 years ago. And I am thankful that they stuck it out when things got tough. But I am digressing already… The reason I mention her today is that she just posted an excellent piece on…

  • Recipes from a delightful ladies’ lunch

    —

    by

    Amy
    in , , ,

    A few days before Easter I was invited to a luncheon with some pretty spectacular ladies. Our hostess made this adorable edible bunny dip with a bread bowl, rolls, veggies and some spinach dip: It was too cute to just keep for ourselves. I had to share! And look at her centerpiece for just one…

  • Any book organizing advice out there?

    —

    by

    Amy
    in

    Not too long ago I did some serious de-cluttering in my son’s room. It resulted in his room looking fantastic, but my central bookshelves becoming quite a big mess. I have books on all sorts of levels and kids of three different ages. So here’s my question for all you organizing reading types: What’s the…

  • Long overdue de-clutter for my 7 year-old

    —

    by

    Amy
    in ,

    Not too long ago I hosted a party with a bunch of sweet three-year-old princesses and their siblings. I think they all had a fantastic time… but they also used some of their magic powers to destroy my seven-year-old’s bedroom. He was not so impressed. And I couldn’t really blame him. So, at bedtime, we…

  • Princess castle cake and tiara cake!

    —

    by

    Amy
    in , ,

    My daughter celebrated her third birthday this weekend and, after hearing about my sister-in-law’s experience in making a few cakes just before me, I was able to learn a new secret for cake-decorating success: straws! Using straws, a few other things, and a little help from my 3 children, I was able to present these…