Posts
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Couture {Backpacks}
Okay. I simply love these backpacks I found at Teacher Mom on Etsy. So cute, so couture, so. must. have. I'm already thinking about next year's school starting now that I've found these. Put these on your list for this summer. I guarantee your kid will have the most fashionable backpack out there. Not to mention it won't look like every other kid's. I'm thinking of getting these for my little tykes {even though our baby girl is less than a year old, we can use this in the meantime to tote dolls, crayons and the like}:
Monday, December 20, 2010
North Pole Cookie Dough {Recipe}
I'm always searching for a great new recipe. And I must confess that I prefer baking over cooking. And when it comes to the holidays, I really get in the spirit!
So, typically for Christmas I make the usuals - from peanut butter cups to peanut butter kisses. But this year, I came across this recipe and thought I'd share it with ya'll. It's oh-so-perfect for baking this week, too, with a name like "North Pole Cookie Dough." Seems just about perfect for baking with your kids and leaving with the milk for Santa this coming Friday night. :)
Now, I must also admit that when I made this, the dough was a bit crumbly after being refrigerated. So I would advise letting warm up a bit at room temperature and being certain that you let them cool nearly fully on the cookie sheet before transferring to the wire rack {otherwise, they tend to fall apart more easily}. Another tip to help keep them together better ~ dont' skimp on the marshmallows!! If some do happen to break apart, just do as I did and save them for ice cream topping -- yummmmmmmm!
So, typically for Christmas I make the usuals - from peanut butter cups to peanut butter kisses. But this year, I came across this recipe and thought I'd share it with ya'll. It's oh-so-perfect for baking this week, too, with a name like "North Pole Cookie Dough." Seems just about perfect for baking with your kids and leaving with the milk for Santa this coming Friday night. :)
North Pole Cookie Dough {as per cooksrecipes.com}:
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (two sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
1 cup roasted almonds or toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
- Place 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips in microwave-safe dish. Microwave 30 seconds on high, stir and continue to microwave in 10 to 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Set bowl aside and cool to room temperature.
- In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and both sugars using electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add melted, cooled chocolate and vanilla, blend until fully incorporated. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture slowly; mixing until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chunks, nuts and mini marshmallows.
- Fill pint containers with cookie dough and refrigerate up to four days or freeze up to one month.
When giving as a gift, attach following baking instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Drop dough by rounded tablespoons, or using small cookie scoop, onto parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Flatten dough slightly using back of spoon.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly cracked but centers are still soft.
- Remove from oven and cool slightly on baking sheet before transferring cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 3 "pints" of dough or 2 dozen cookies.
{Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of ButterIsBest.com; through ARA Content.}Now, I must also admit that when I made this, the dough was a bit crumbly after being refrigerated. So I would advise letting warm up a bit at room temperature and being certain that you let them cool nearly fully on the cookie sheet before transferring to the wire rack {otherwise, they tend to fall apart more easily}. Another tip to help keep them together better ~ dont' skimp on the marshmallows!! If some do happen to break apart, just do as I did and save them for ice cream topping -- yummmmmmmm!
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Friday, December 17, 2010
Reindeer Food {Recipe}
Ahhh, the traditions of Christmas. I simply love them. From our Snow Village to baking and leaving milk and cookies for Santa, I go ga-ga when it comes to the holidays!
I'm sure most of you have your own family traditions, as well, and I would imagine that most of you with little ones also leave milk & cookies for Santa. But what about his reindeer? This year, I discovered that there is something to leave for the reindeer on Christmas Eve, too! And this is such a great tradition to start with young children. I can't help but think it's perfect, as I realized how much my 3 year old is getting into the spirit of Christmas already. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he finally actually wanted to see Santa this year...and even noticed that his reindeer weren't with him. Hmmmm...
So, here it is: the recipe for the special reindeer food to sprinkle on your lawn Christmas Eve night! As legend has it, the smell of the oats and the sparkle of the glitter will lead Dasher, Dancer et. al right to your chimney {or, as in our case, doorstep!}! Enjoy and happy "baking" with your little ones!!
Rudolph's Favorite Snack
1/2 Cup uncooked oatmeal
1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup red or green sugar crystals {as used for baking ~ I've also seen recipes with glitter, but it is advised NOT to use glitter, as it can be toxic to birds and other wildlife that might snatch it up!}
I'm sure most of you have your own family traditions, as well, and I would imagine that most of you with little ones also leave milk & cookies for Santa. But what about his reindeer? This year, I discovered that there is something to leave for the reindeer on Christmas Eve, too! And this is such a great tradition to start with young children. I can't help but think it's perfect, as I realized how much my 3 year old is getting into the spirit of Christmas already. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he finally actually wanted to see Santa this year...and even noticed that his reindeer weren't with him. Hmmmm...
So, here it is: the recipe for the special reindeer food to sprinkle on your lawn Christmas Eve night! As legend has it, the smell of the oats and the sparkle of the glitter will lead Dasher, Dancer et. al right to your chimney {or, as in our case, doorstep!}! Enjoy and happy "baking" with your little ones!!
Rudolph's Favorite Snack
1/2 Cup uncooked oatmeal
1/2 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup red or green sugar crystals {as used for baking ~ I've also seen recipes with glitter, but it is advised NOT to use glitter, as it can be toxic to birds and other wildlife that might snatch it up!}
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Diapers: {Subscribe & Save}
I'm not sure why I just discovered this...well, I mean, I know how I just discovered it {thank you, Mae!!}, but now I sit here asking myself, "Why didn't anybody tell me about this earlier?!?" {As in, nearly 4 years ago, when I had my first child!!!} But, nonetheless, at least I know about it now. And now you can thank ME for telling you about it!
If you haven't heard of it, you simply must start doing this. It's the subscribe and save program from Amazon. You can use it on a number of items, but what I particularly will be using it for is diapers. I can score my diapers {I prefer Pampers, but you can also get Huggies or a couple other brands there, too, with this} for a huge discount by simply setting up a subscription for Amazon to send them to me each month.
All you need to do is register with Amazon Moms first of all. This will score you 15% off the diapers. Then you sign up for their Subscribe & Save program to score an additional 15% off. You can have the diapers set up to be sent every 1 month, 2 months, 3 months or 6 months. AND did I mention you get FREE SHIPPING, as well? It's really a no-brainer. So for just $28.00, I can get 204 Pampers diapers sent to me each month. That's a huge savings and so, so convenient!!
If you haven't heard of it, you simply must start doing this. It's the subscribe and save program from Amazon. You can use it on a number of items, but what I particularly will be using it for is diapers. I can score my diapers {I prefer Pampers, but you can also get Huggies or a couple other brands there, too, with this} for a huge discount by simply setting up a subscription for Amazon to send them to me each month.
All you need to do is register with Amazon Moms first of all. This will score you 15% off the diapers. Then you sign up for their Subscribe & Save program to score an additional 15% off. You can have the diapers set up to be sent every 1 month, 2 months, 3 months or 6 months. AND did I mention you get FREE SHIPPING, as well? It's really a no-brainer. So for just $28.00, I can get 204 Pampers diapers sent to me each month. That's a huge savings and so, so convenient!!
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Thursday, December 16, 2010
$72 Gift Sets for $5 ~ Hurry!
I received word of this fabulous deal from Seven slings today and so wanted to share it with you! I haven't purchased one myself, as we don't really use a carrier around here anymore, but if you're in the market, these look to be a steal of a deal! Basically for just $5 plus shipping {looks to be about $12}, you get:
*One Seven Slings carrier in fabric of choice
*One color-coordinate pair of baby leggings
*One adult acrylic cuff bracelet with matching sling fabric sealed inside
When you are about to order, they automatically include a "size exchange insurance" for $3.50, which you CAN remove from the cart, by the way.
If you happen to order this set, please contact me to let me know how the quality is!!
*One Seven Slings carrier in fabric of choice
*One color-coordinate pair of baby leggings
*One adult acrylic cuff bracelet with matching sling fabric sealed inside
When you are about to order, they automatically include a "size exchange insurance" for $3.50, which you CAN remove from the cart, by the way.
Code you must put in is: Christmas
If you happen to order this set, please contact me to let me know how the quality is!!
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Santa {Revealed}.
So this is the first year that our son has shown any interest whatsoever in Santa Claus. For the first time ever, he actually wanted to see him ~ AND didn't cry when he did see him! Our little guy even observed that when we saw Santa, there were no reindeer. So, of course, I thought, "awwww...how cute!" and I was glad about all of this. But then it got me thinking...now that he's "hooked" on the idea, what happens when it's finally revealed that Santa is a phony!?
So, you gotta tell me...those of you out there who have already come and gone past this stage...how was Santa's true identity revealed to your little ones? Did you initiate telling them? If so, how? Did they find out from friends and get teased that they still believed? Were they heartbroken? How old were they? Did you go on to tell them about the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny then and there, too? Would LOVE to hear about this from you! {I'm already nervous about it, and he just started getting into it this year! EEEK!}
So, you gotta tell me...those of you out there who have already come and gone past this stage...how was Santa's true identity revealed to your little ones? Did you initiate telling them? If so, how? Did they find out from friends and get teased that they still believed? Were they heartbroken? How old were they? Did you go on to tell them about the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny then and there, too? Would LOVE to hear about this from you! {I'm already nervous about it, and he just started getting into it this year! EEEK!}
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Monday, December 13, 2010
Natural Remedies {the Common Cough}
If you're a long-time follower, you remember a while back when I discussed natural items as cleaning agents. {Click here for uses for lemons, here for vinegar, and here for cooking oils}. Well, now I'd like to shed some light on natural items that can be used as health boosters. We could all use advice on saving some money where we can, and plus, I'm a big advocate of using fewer chemicals and more natural products in our lives - especially when it comes to things we ingest!!
So first up is a remedy for the common cough -- something we'll probably all being seeing soon around our house, if we haven't yet already.
And the natural fighting agent nature has gifted us with for this? Honey. It can coat the throat to help bring relief to irritated membranes. And did I mention that honey also naturally has antioxidants to help fight illness, too?
When my son was going through a terrible coughing spell {and when I say "spell," this lasted for MONTHS!! It was so bad, we had to get medication to use with a nebulizer}, we would give him warmed water with honey and lemon every night before bedtime. We called it the "lemon spritz," and he loved having his own special drink! And I can honestly say the nights he drank that, he didn't cough as much throughout the night.
The only kicker here {and I'm sure your pediatricians have already forewarned you about this, but nonetheless...} is that you should **not** give honey to babies under age 1 due to their immature immune systems.
So first up is a remedy for the common cough -- something we'll probably all being seeing soon around our house, if we haven't yet already.
And the natural fighting agent nature has gifted us with for this? Honey. It can coat the throat to help bring relief to irritated membranes. And did I mention that honey also naturally has antioxidants to help fight illness, too?When my son was going through a terrible coughing spell {and when I say "spell," this lasted for MONTHS!! It was so bad, we had to get medication to use with a nebulizer}, we would give him warmed water with honey and lemon every night before bedtime. We called it the "lemon spritz," and he loved having his own special drink! And I can honestly say the nights he drank that, he didn't cough as much throughout the night.
The only kicker here {and I'm sure your pediatricians have already forewarned you about this, but nonetheless...} is that you should **not** give honey to babies under age 1 due to their immature immune systems.
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Children's Books on: {Tantrums.}
We're basically right "in between" the tantrum stage at our house, as we have a 3 1/2 yo and an 8-month old, but, alas, I still thought it the right time to guide any of you in the thick of the tantrum stage {aka, "terrible twos"} to some helpful children's books on the topic.
These are great to read with your children to help them understand their own feelings better and cope with them more skillfully.
The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum
The plot, as you can probably imagine, is about a girl wanting a cookie, and Mom saying, "No." This exchange leads to the temper rearing its ugly head. But Mom holds firm to her "No," and hears her daughter out {just listens, and understands, and has patience.} And once the girl is done having her fit, they go home - no shame or judgment, just understanding of the daughter's feelings, which is a somewhat refreshing take on the topic, if you ask me.
Sometimes I'm a Bombaloo
This book features the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, if you will, of a little girl. The book makes sure to note that the girl is a good girl {most of the time}, but that at times, she gets angry and becomes the
"bombaloo." The author makes it a point to note that this anger can be very destructive and even scary {for both others AND the girl herself}. The bottom line of the book is that no matter how you feel during a temper, or what happens during it, what's most important is that, care must be taken afterwards to help things & others we may have hurt in our fury.
These are great to read with your children to help them understand their own feelings better and cope with them more skillfully.
The Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum
Sometimes I'm a Bombaloo
This book features the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, if you will, of a little girl. The book makes sure to note that the girl is a good girl {most of the time}, but that at times, she gets angry and becomes the
"bombaloo." The author makes it a point to note that this anger can be very destructive and even scary {for both others AND the girl herself}. The bottom line of the book is that no matter how you feel during a temper, or what happens during it, what's most important is that, care must be taken afterwards to help things & others we may have hurt in our fury.Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Curious...about Curious George.
So my 3 1/2 y.o. son has always been a big fan of Curious George. Yes, that lovable, laughable bundle of furry fluff-of-a-monkey - George. And, at first, I thought nothing of it. That is, until I began reading the stories over and over and finally realizing something....
The stories are all about receiving praise & rewards when you've done something wrong {insert GASP here!!}. Here are just a few examples right off the top of my head {I told you that I've read these just a few times!!} :)
*George climbs onto the conveyor belt at the chocolate factory and eats all the chocolates {bad monkey!}, but then he is the speedy monkey to help catch up the workers to get the chocolates into their boxes {good monkey!}, and he gets rewarded with more chocolates at the end.
*George attends story time at the library, only to get bored and not only leave story time, but also take one of the books the librarian had behind her to read to the kids. He then proceeds to put dozens of books in a rollaway cart and actually rolls the whole thing down a ramp and then crashes, leaving books flying everywhere {bad monkey!}. But the other kids then come and find some of the books he had in his cart and want to take them home {good monkey {for helping other kids be interested in books!}}; the kids also help George put the rest of the books away, and George even earns himself his own library card.
*George went to the train station and decided it was a good idea to change all the numbers for the arrival & departure times of the trains {bad monkey!}. While in hiding after this, he sees a little boy who got away from his dad. The boy's toy train is rolling toward the real train {subway} track, and the boy is following it. George runs to grab the toy train and catch it before it falls, which of course, prevents the little boy from falling down into the tracks {good monkey!}. He is then rewarded with driving with the engineer of the train.
All that being said, I know that sometimes George's mishaps are mistakes, and so I can't really scold him for that. But often times, he purposely is disobeying "the man with the yellow hat." So I can't help but ask, "Are these books really good for our kids to read?" Perhaps not. But I'm still going to read them to my son. Why? Well, he loves that little monkey. But even more than that, I'll be sure to let him know that monkeys can get away with things that we humans can't. That, as a monkey, he behaves the way he does because a) he's curious {versus deliberately disobedient}, and b} he's an animal with instincts. Furthermore, my son will learn that people {monkeys} make mistakes, but they can often overcome their mistakes {and please note, "mistakes" does NOT equal "intentional misbehavior" -- that's a different lesson, to be read, "these are examples of things NOT to do!} and even make good of them. And I think that's a good lesson for us all to keep in mind.
The stories are all about receiving praise & rewards when you've done something wrong {insert GASP here!!}. Here are just a few examples right off the top of my head {I told you that I've read these just a few times!!} :)
*George climbs onto the conveyor belt at the chocolate factory and eats all the chocolates {bad monkey!}, but then he is the speedy monkey to help catch up the workers to get the chocolates into their boxes {good monkey!}, and he gets rewarded with more chocolates at the end.
*George attends story time at the library, only to get bored and not only leave story time, but also take one of the books the librarian had behind her to read to the kids. He then proceeds to put dozens of books in a rollaway cart and actually rolls the whole thing down a ramp and then crashes, leaving books flying everywhere {bad monkey!}. But the other kids then come and find some of the books he had in his cart and want to take them home {good monkey {for helping other kids be interested in books!}}; the kids also help George put the rest of the books away, and George even earns himself his own library card.
*George went to the train station and decided it was a good idea to change all the numbers for the arrival & departure times of the trains {bad monkey!}. While in hiding after this, he sees a little boy who got away from his dad. The boy's toy train is rolling toward the real train {subway} track, and the boy is following it. George runs to grab the toy train and catch it before it falls, which of course, prevents the little boy from falling down into the tracks {good monkey!}. He is then rewarded with driving with the engineer of the train.
All that being said, I know that sometimes George's mishaps are mistakes, and so I can't really scold him for that. But often times, he purposely is disobeying "the man with the yellow hat." So I can't help but ask, "Are these books really good for our kids to read?" Perhaps not. But I'm still going to read them to my son. Why? Well, he loves that little monkey. But even more than that, I'll be sure to let him know that monkeys can get away with things that we humans can't. That, as a monkey, he behaves the way he does because a) he's curious {versus deliberately disobedient}, and b} he's an animal with instincts. Furthermore, my son will learn that people {monkeys} make mistakes, but they can often overcome their mistakes {and please note, "mistakes" does NOT equal "intentional misbehavior" -- that's a different lesson, to be read, "these are examples of things NOT to do!} and even make good of them. And I think that's a good lesson for us all to keep in mind.
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Friday, December 3, 2010
FREE HAIR COUTURE ~ EARN A NEW PIECE WITH EACH LEVEL YOU HIT!!
Need a gorgeous gift topper?
Have a new baby girl in the family that you'd love to give a box full of hair lovelies to?
Have a baby shower coming up, and you'd love to give a gift to remember?
Have a little princess at home with holiday outfits you'd love to accessorize with head-turning hair couture?
NOW is the TIME.TO.SHOP!
For an undisclosed, temporary amount of time, Adam's Blankie will be offering HUGE SAVINGS on all Hair Couture! When you hit each level, you will earn the free hair accessory, as imaged for that level. Hit multiple levels, and earn the free couture for each level below you, as well!
YOU MUST PUT CODE: HAIRLEVELMADNESS IN THE 'NOTES TO SELLER' WHEN CHECKING OUT TO QUALIFY FOR THESE!!!
YOU MUST PUT CODE: HAIRLEVELMADNESS IN THE 'NOTES TO SELLER' WHEN CHECKING OUT TO QUALIFY FOR THESE!!!
Spend $26.00 in hair couture, and earn this Rolled Rosette Headband FREE!!
Spend $52.00 in hair couture, and earn this Pink Chiffon Headband FREE!!
Spend $77.00 in hair couture, and earn this Triple Avocado Headband FREE!!
Spend $105.00 in hair couture, and earn this Feathered Red Rosette Headband FREE!!
Spend $155.00 and earn this ORGANIC CREAM ROSETTE Headband FREE!!
***
*Minimum amounts are BEFORE sales tax and/or shipping fees.
*No substitutions, please.
*Qualification comes from a SINGLE order ~ cannot combine orders.
*Sale does NOT apply to previous orders.
EARN EVEN MORE!!
If you qualify for at least one level, and then you blog and post something on your Facebook page about this, we'll include even more free goodies for you! {PLEASE NOTE: You must have at least 100 blog followers and at least 200 friends on Facebook to qualify for this}. You must link, CC or BCC us at adamsblankie@gmail.com once you've done this so that we know you did it.
PLEASE REMEMBER!!!
OU MUST PUT CODE: HAIRLEVELMADNESS IN THE 'NOTES TO SELLER' WHEN CHECKING OUT TO QUALIFY FOR THESE!!!
Thank you! Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!!
Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
