My Favorite Books for Young Readers

  By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 17, 2013 - 4:30 am | ,
5 Comments

To close out Children’s Book Week I thought it would be fun to put together a list of some of my favorite books for young readers.  This was a hard list to make because there are so many good books out there.  I had originally planned on only putting together a list of my top 10 and that quickly went out the window.  And so while I obviously don’t have every great book on my lists, these are my personal favorites.  And I also want to clarify the term “young readers” and “classics.”  There are books on these lists for kids who are 6 to kids who are 16.  Children, pre-teens, teens, and even those who are just young at heart.  These are books that I read when I was a child, that I grew up with, and have read recently that I look forward to reading with my kids in the future.   I read a lot when I was little and I read books that a lot of kids my age were not reading.  That also gives me a little different perspective on “children’s” books.  And I separated the books into classics and contemporary.  Because I had to draw a line somewhere I drew it at anything published before or after 1990.  I know some of you might cringe at something written in the 80′s as being called a classic, but to a child of the 80′s they are classics to me! I think these are a good variety of books for different ages and covering lots of different styles.  I’d love to hear what books you’d put on your lists!

Timeless Clasics for Young Readers Contemporary Books for Young Readers

And of course I have to say that if I was going to make a list called “My Favorite Book Ever Written Of All Time” it would have Pride & Prejudice right up on the top.  (it would be a short list.)  What is on your lists?  And remember to get out there and read with your kids!

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Percy Jackson Themed Breakfast

  By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 15, 2013 - 4:30 am | , ,
1 Comment

We’re celebrating Children’s Book Week around here!  And today I’m sharing some fun printables and an activity idea for the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  Have you or your children read the books?  I have to say that I loved them.  I thought they were so cute and fun.  And I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve been able to answer several Jeopardy questions because of what I learned from those books.  (Yes I watch Jeopardy.  Don’t be jealous of how cool I am.)

In the books Percy’s mom often cooks him blue food, and he remembers this about her many times.  Especially her blue waffles.  “My mom made her blue waffles and blue eggs for breakfast.  She’s funny that way, celebrating special occasions with blue food.  I think it’s her way of saying anything is possible.  Percy can pass seventh grade.  Waffles can be blue.  Little miracles like that.”

Percy is right!  If waffles can be blue than anything is possible.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians Inspired Free Printables

And not only can you have blue waffles, but you can have a whole breakfast inspired by this great children’s book.  It’s easy with these printables that I’ve put together for you!  If you have a few minutes to print and cut then you can create this fun moment for your family.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians Inspired Free PrintablesPercy Jackson & The Olympians Inspired Free Printables

These blue waffles were very easy to make. Just add some blue food coloring to your batter and bake!  And if you are in the market for the most delicious Belgian waffle recipe then make sure you come back next week because I’ll share my grandmother’s recipe with you!  It’s amazing.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians Inspired Free Printables Percy Jackson & The Olympians Inspired Free Printables

The tent cards in the PDF are blank so you can make place cards for your family or have fun with labeling the food.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians Inspired Free Printables

These printables can also obviously be used for more than just breakfast.  If you have another way you’d like to have fun with your children and these books then go for it!

Download the PDF

Percy Jackson & The Olympians Inspired Free Printables

 

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Storybook Printables for Children’s Book Week

  By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 13, 2013 - 4:30 am | ,
3 Comments

I know it seems like every other day we’re having some sort of holiday or some event that someone somewhere is celebrating.  National Raisin Week?  Lumpy Rug Day?  Tuba Day?  Eh….thanks, but I’ll pass on those.  (And yes, those are actual official observances in the month of May.)  But then there are some holidays that I can definitely get behind and this week is one of them.  It is Children’s Book Week!  Children’s Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading.

Reading is my very favorite past time and it always has been.  There is absolutely nothing like curling up with a good book and disappearing inside its pages.  And I always want to support anything that encourages others (especially children) to discover the joy of reading too.  And I’m a firm believer in the wisdom and beautiful words that can be found in children’s literature.  Sometimes I think those books for our little ones have more knowledge in them  than any we read when we grow up.  So I want to share just a few of some of my favorite quotes from children’s books.

Storybook Printables for Children's Book Week

Most of these quotes are from Winnie the Pooh.  Easily my favorite book when it comes to quotes.

Download the PDF- Boots & Adventure

Storybook Printables for Children's Book Week

Download the PDF- Hundred Minus A Day

Storybook Printables for Children's Book Week.

Download the PDF- Nothing is Impossible

Storybook Printables for Children's Book Week.

Download the PDF- The Smallest Things

Storybook Printables for Children's Book Week.

Download the PDF- Where Are Your Manners

Storybook Printables for Children's Book Week

Download the PDF- Faith and Wings

Faith and Wings

Download the PDF- The World is a Garden

The World is a Garden

Download the PDF- Stronger with the Wind

Storybook Printables for Children's Book Week

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When life hands you lemons…

  By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 10, 2013 - 4:30 am |
3 Comments

Ah the age old question…what to do when life hands you lemons?  Well there is a lot you can do actually!  One of the best things is to put those lemons into a gift basket and use it to send some cheer.  Because everybody has trials.  Everybody goes through difficult times.  And if you know someone who is right in the middle of one of those dark times let them know you’re rooting for them and will be there to help them make it through to the other side.

When life hands you lemons gift basket. Great gift to cheer a friend!

This is a fun take on the old saying and each little tag coordinates with a specific item.  You certainly don’t have to use every tag but here are some ideas of what to put inside.

When life hands you lemons:

- Make Lemonade.  (of course.  pair with lemonade)

- Throw them back and yell I wanted chocolate. (with a chocolate bar)

- Be grateful life gave you something. (lemon head candy)

- Sell them on EBAY (cash!)

- Forget lemonade.  Squirt them on lobsters. (silverware wrapped in a cute napkin or gift card to a restaurant.)

- Eat them.  They’re good for you.  Life knows best. (an actual lemon!)

- You could also throw in any lemon scented lotion, candles, or body spray or add in some cute yellow accessories like a necklace or socks.

On a budget?  Each one of these items would make a fun surprise on their own.  It really is the thought and love behind it.

When life hands you lemons gift basket. Great gift to cheer a friend!

And I’ve got all the tags you need!  Just download the PDF, print, and send some sunshine!

When life hands you lemons gift basket. Great gift to cheer a friend!

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Creamy Cheese Ravioli

  By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 8, 2013 - 4:30 am |
3 Comments

Creamy Cheese Ravioli from Darling DoodlesMy husband is a total carnivore,  and me not so much.  Since we’ve been married I will say that I have improved a lot in the meat eating department but it still isn’t my very favorite food.  Poor Sam, he probably doesn’t get to eat meat as much as he would like.  However, I don’t think he minds the meatless meals when they taste as delicious as this creamy ravioli.   Seriously this is one tasty dish and it is very filling as a main course, especially when paired with a side salad.  And also as a side note writing this post has taught me that I cannot spell the word ravioli.  Because every time I type it, no matter how slowly I sound it out, that dang little wavy ride line appears.  Sigh…my spelling hasn’t had a chance since that time I got a nosebleed in the first round of the fourth grade spelling bee.

Anyway, back to this yummy dish!  You’ll start with a package of frozen ravioli and simply cook according to the package directions.

Creamy Cheese Ravioli from Darling Doodles The real fun starts with cooking some minced garlic in melted butter, which as we all know is how all the great recipes start.

Creamy Cheese Ravioli from Darling Doodles

After the delicious smell of garlic has filled your kitchen add in some light cream and milk.

Creamy Cheese Ravioli from Darling Doodles

Heat through and season with salt and pepper.

Creamy Cheese Ravioli from Darling Doodles

Next slowly add in cheese from your favorite Italian blend and stir it all up until the cheese is fully melted.  Throw in a little bit of parsley and basil, just because you can.

Creamy Cheese Ravioli from Darling DoodlesYum-o.  Look at that thick and creamy sauce.  Toss your ravioli with the sauce and top with a sprinkle of pine nuts.  This dinner comes together in a matter of minutes making it perfect for busy weeknights.  Some steamed veggies or a salad are great sides and what more could you want from this meal?

Creamy Cheese Ravioli from Darling Doodles

Download the PDF recipe

Creamy Cheese Ravioli from Darling Doodles

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Taking A Meal Printable Label Set

  By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 6, 2013 - 4:30 am | , ,
10 Comments

Bringing a meal to family or friends is a great way to show you care whether you are welcoming a new family to the neighborhood, comforting someone who has experienced a loss, celebrating with a new mom and dad, or just giving the lucky recipient a night off of cooking!  I recently took some dinner to one of my friends who had a baby girl and I thought it would be fun to create some labels to go with the dishes.  With these labels I can write down any cooking or storing instructions or write a personalized note.

Taking A Meal Printable Label Set

I have been on the receiving end of a warm meal from a friend when we were going through a hard time and it is amazing how something so small offers so much healing.  It didn’t matter if the food was fancy or something simple.  It was just the act that mattered.  Another thing that was pretty great?  When someone included some disposable dinnerware so that there was no clean up at all.  I really appreciated that so I made sure to include it when I took a meal to my friend.

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Mother’s Day is coming up!  What mom wouldn’t love a night with no dirty dishes?!  This would be an easy and cute gift to give all on its own.

I made two different sets one with a little more blue and one with a little more pink.  But neither one is “baby-ish” so you can certainly use them for any occasion.

Taking a Meal Printable Label Set

Download the PDF- Blue or Download the PDF- Pink

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Here are a few other tips for taking meals:

- Always double check with the family to see if there are any allergies or foods that they don’t enjoy.  It isn’t much help if the family has five frozen lasagnas in their freezer for a year that nobody wants to eat.  Also call ahead to let them know you will be coming by.  It can be stressful to have visitors dropping in without any notice.

- Don’t worry if it isn’t fancy or even homemade.  A deli platter and some hearty bread can make sandwiches for days.  Pizza and breadsticks are usually a hit with kids.  Sometimes simple really is the best.

- Take meals that can easily be stored and reheated.  Nothing that will become mushy if it sits in the fridge for a few days.  Soups, pastas, and casseroles are great standards.

- Make sure you take it in a dish that you don’t expect to be returned, and let the family know that you don’t need it back.

- If you don’t feel comfortable cooking a full meal then think about taking quick grab-n-go, healthy snacks.  Sometimes people can be inundated with heavy meals but they might not be stocked up on items to snack on throughout the day.  Muffins, cut up fresh fruit and veggies, string cheese, granola bars, etc. are all great items.

- If you have the means think about including a few extras like a gallon of milk, jar of apple sauce, or boxes of pasta to help stock the pantry.

As one who has given, and received, the gift of a meal I think the main thing is to just let them know you care!

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