Picnic Time!!! Now where to feast....

Picnics are an amazing way to get your children out from in front of that screen and into nature. This table is actually portable, and was featured on Family Fun! (My aunt swears by this magazine, it hasn't seemed to let her down yet)

Floating Book Trick

These are amazing. I love the idea of anything floating. Its also a perfect excuse to check out garage sales, and library sales, for old books. You can get some excellent deals from library sales. They are rarely advertised, you just have to catch them on a good day. Also, because they are "out-of-date" many people are just dying to ditch their clunky books. Good bye clunky books, hello chic shelves.

Every freakin time... INSANE VIDEO ALERT

My cats, all of them (and I'm pretty sure over the course of my life I've had a good thirty cats), have all had personalities of their own. All animals do. So whenever I see a video for animals, I can't help but love or "Like" it. In this case, this is a video about Maru. I'm pretty sure you'll love him. How can you not?

Growing Creativity

I am HORRIBLE at growing anything but these are amazing. What a creative way to incorporate plants into your house!

Terrariums are growing in popularity because not only do they help you bring a little bit of the outdoors in, but they’re also considered among the more eco-friendly of home accessories. In fact, you will find that there are companies out there who produce terrariums made from recycled glass. A terrarium made from recycled glass that contains living plants is truly 100% eco-friendly.

Typically terrariums are entirely enclosed. Fully enclosed terrariums tend to be warmer and thus, feature planets that are meant for warmer climates. However, there are open-topped terrariums, which are cooler. Therefore, it’s important to weigh the benefits of either type before bringing them into your home.

Going green, eco-friendly and natural inspired home accessories and decor are all the rage in interior design today. You’ll find various items from recycled glass vases to all-natural hemp shades for lamps. The terrarium is just one of many of the nature-inspired home accessories to hit the market in recent years, though it’s certainly not a new invention. Here’s the low down on this new home decor trend.

What is a Terrarium?
To put it simply, a terrarium is a small enclosed container that features a number of small plants (and occasionally, animals). These containers typically feature an easily controlled environment, ensuring that the terrarium will continue to survive for several years, if not forever. This also makes them an attractive home decor item.

All About Terrariums in Home Decor

As always, these home accessories have their pros and cons. If you happen to own pets, you may find that a terrarium is a great way to bring plants into your home without fear of your pets trying to eat the plants. This is especially true if you have a cat or dog who enjoys snacking on your plants. On the other hand, terrariums are controlled environments so these plants typically do not get any larger and will stay within their container.

It’s also important to weigh how much time and energy you can put into your terrarium. While it’s true that many people use these as simple home accessories, it’s important to remember that they are still living creatures that may require care. Some terrariums are meant to be self-sustaining and these are best if you’re just looking for a decorative piece. However, there are terrariums that may require regular watering or other maintenance, so keep this in mind. Terrariums are not just home decor items!

A terrarium is a great way to bring some greenery into your home decor. Of course, they’re not for everyone. Before you commit to a terrarium, be sure to weigh the pros and cons, as well as maintenance, so that you can ensure that you’ve chosen the right terrarium for your home.

Article Courtesy of  Trendy Home Accessories: The Terrarium

In A Mug?

I've seen many cake recipes about baking in a jar, but I've actually recently found a couple that involve a mug. I've actually made the brownie one, however I'm a pretty new fan of Nutella so that may be my next venture. My favorite part about these? They're a quick make, literally takes longer to mix the ingredients than cooking it. Both are single serving size so you don't have to share, and you don't have pans of that unhealthy stuff hanging out in your house. You can literally make them with stuff hanging out in your cupboard.

Insane Video Alert: Front Flip, Full Court Basketball Shot

I'll admit, it was Ridiculousness where I first saw this video. I wish it was there was a shorter version. You know one where they didn't idolize Baby Bron Bron, but this is still amazing. By the way, if you've never watched Ridiculousness, its amazing. Its like sports America's Funniest Home Video.

DIY Canvas Photos

I'm sure you all have loads of photos just hanging around, and you know you love that artistic effect of printing on canvas. Now, you can take the easy route (and if you don't have a laser printer you may want to consider it) and just print on canvas, but if you do it this way (below) you can get your print on canvas board. Printing on canvas you have to get thin specialty canvas and then you have to put it into a frame which can lose some of the effect. So, try this today!

Nothing Like Sunday Apple Pie

Now, I'm not a big pie fan. But I am a huge fan of creativity and this is by far the most creative way I've ever seen pie. Courtesy of Jo In The Kitchen, here is a fantastic way to impress all your friends and keep that apple pie more about the fruit and a little less about the pastry.

Rough Day? Mommy Needs A Drink!

First of all I want to apologize, well sort of. I've been extremely busy lately. Its been about 18 weeks since I've posted anything. In fact the last post I did was published the day I found out I was going to be induced. So, 18 weeks and a very healthy 17lb 4oz (25.25" long) baby boy later, here I am. I've since already returned to work and am attempting to get into a groove. Anyway, here's a good post for you all. It's hot out. I know it, you know it, the thermometer is bursting. So I've found a few "warm weather drinks" for you and some virgin ones for the kids so they don't feel left out... just don't get the glasses confused.

MInt Candy-Filled Cookies Tickle Your Fancy?

Once again we're going to tap into minty Irishman and give you a fancy recipe that is in fact a cinch to make... You can't go wrong with faux hard work.

Insane Video Alert: Whose Line Is It Anyway Drinking Songs

So another big part of Irish heritage is of course the drinking. You can't think Ireland and not think of some sort of alcohol-related incident. I'm a big fan of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and one of the most popular skits they repeat is Irish Drinking Song so I thought I would show off a clip that has some of the best versions... Enjoy!

Show Your Love For The Potato

Since we can't just have sweets in the 'betty crocker vs. rachel ray' category and we are also on an Irish theme this week, we should touch base on an important part of Ireland's history. The Irish Potato Famine, as most out-of-country folk call it, was a period of mass starvation between the years of 1845 and 1851. The proximate cause of famine was a potato disease commonly known as potato blight. Although blight ravaged potato crops throughout Europe during the 1840s, the impact and human cost in Ireland – where one-third of the population was entirely dependent on the potato for food – was exacerbated by a host of political, social and economic factors which remain the subject of historical debate. Its hard to believe that we, as Americans, could ever have a shortage of potatoes when every town has a restaurant/food chain that goes through bags and bags of frozen potatoes each day. So as a bit of respect for those who lost their lives, and the ones that suffered those six years without a delicious potato, ABMS is giving you some recipes for four great potato dishes from the AllRecipes.com database...

Capture A Rainbow In A Jar!

Sticking with the "Luck of the Irish" Theme we have going on here this week, I thought why not give a rainbow to someone as a gift. I had never personally heard of cooked cakes in a jar before I found this recipe, just the gift jars with all the dry ingredients in them. I personally can see any of my teenaged brothers taking one of these and eating the whole jar in a single sitting. I'm not recommending it, by any means, but I can picture it. And apparently, they have quite the vast majority of cakes-in-a-jar.

Cakes baked in jars can be topped with traditional metal canning lids and stored in the fridge for up to five days.  They make a great treat to ship to someone, so long as you can ensure delivery to it’s final destination within 3 days. Of course, you don’t have to do anything special with your cake-in-a-jar. There’s something lively & different about serving personal-sized batched of cake in glass mason jars.  They make for great dinner party conversations and ever better after-school surprises for your kiddos. Especially this one. Because, who doesn’t love the idea of catching their own rainbow?

St. Patricks Day - Kid Style

Many schools have Sta. Patrick's Day parties, or parties for each holiday in general. This year, St. Patrick's Day falls on a Saturday so I'd recommend a party with your kids and whatever cousins or neighborhood kids you can round up. Need another snack idea besides green-sprinkled whipped cream over lemon-lime Jello? How about a game to play or crafts to do? ABMS has assembled some of the finest ideas to occupy this Saturday's afternoon.

Ultra-Easy Fudge Mint Cookie Bars

 I'm not sure what it is with St. Patrick's Day that makes us associate it with mint... Its an Irish holiday, Irish are typically associated with either potatoes (the Irish Potato Famine) or with beer. Neither of which smells like mint. But alas, this is the month that gets mint association. So I figured, to follow this trend I'd share this delightful recipe sent to me. These puppies could sell themselves. They are extra easy because they are, according to Sandra Lee, "semi-homemade", however the recipe came from Betty Crocker so that's why they're specific on some things.

Insane Video Alert: Crazy Paper Thing

This is just crazy... Its super simple instructions too, so you can build it. And if you're anything like my brothers, keep yourself entertained for hours, if not days! Check it out!

Garden Problem or Garden Solution?

When digging up soil for that budding aspiration of a garden you have in your head you may find all sorts of rocks. Well, ABMS found a craft that may help you put them to good use, and be helpful all at the same time. You can chose to do this craft on your own or if you have some crafty kids, by goodness put them to work! Besides this project is way more fun than pulling weeds.

Snickerdoodle Muffins

In our family we make snickerdoodles very rarely. I'm not sure why... They aren't a hard thing to make but I was stoked to find a snickerdoodle muffin recipe! I love cinnamon sugar, I don't eat it much (cinnamon=heartburn in babyville) but when I worked at the bullseye I ate their cinnamon sugar muffins EVERYDAY. I can't wait to try these puppies out. If anyone gets them made before me give me your review!

Creating Memories: The Day You Were Born

I'm actually really interested in doing this for Alexander. I think its a really neat idea. We all love reading about the day we were born. The more dramatic the better. Children especially love to hear stories about their real birthdays: The night of the terrible ice storm! That look on Grandma's face! Take a free evening and sort your memorabilia -- and memories -- into a collection of themed boxes: the birth story, the pregnancy, the news of the day, and so on. You can make it as big or as small as you like, depending on how many themes you want to include, then decorate with anything from simple stamps and photos to drawings and collages. And the oversize box easily accommodates mementos of almost any shape or size. We like to think of it as a sort of interactive baby album your child can help create. Sure, he may roll his eyes as you press that tiny baby bootie to your cheek -- but maybe one day he'll know exactly how you feel.