Brie @Darling Doodles

DIY Dry Erase Calendar

By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 20, 2013 - 4:30 am | crafts, DIY, organize

I’m really excited about this project I recently finished because even though it is a small project it is step one in my master plan. That sounds so devious.

I have been wanting a “command center” in my home for forever! It is kind of a joke between my husband and I over my love for command centers. He’s been listening to my visions of the perfect organized center for far too long. And I’ve probably shown him dozens of photos. Here’s just a few that have inspired me:

From One Creative Housewife

From Organize Magazine (no longer in business)

These two beautiful centers are from Pottery Barn

It is like an organizing overdose! Love them.

So Sam and I actually found a big frame just sitting on the side of the road and I immediately scooped it up. I didn’t know what I would do with it at the time but hey, it was free! After thinking about it for awhile I knew it would be a great place to start building my own command center and turned it into a large dry erase calendar.

The frame actually started out with a poorly done brown paint job but a light sanding, some primer, and a couple coats of white spray paint took care of it.

I get asked a lot what my favorite brand of spray paint is to use in projects and to be honest, I don’t really have one. I usually just use whatever is cheapest, or in stock, or closest to me on the shelf. I’m not very picky, or I haven’t found “the one” yet. Maybe I will someday…

This frame is pretty large and it is also an odd size, 14 x 27. So in order to fill it I created my own calendar design and had it printed up at Costco. The actual print is 20 x 30 and I just made sure to leave a large border in the design so that when I trimmed the border off it would fit in the frame.

The pen in the picture above is for a size reference. This is a pretty big calendar, lots of room to organize! Once cut and in the frame we hung it up on a large empty wall in our kitchen.

Now I do have to admit that I had a small panic attack when I first started writing on the calendar. The dry erase marker didn’t come off! I was really confused and worried that the whole project would end up a waste. I tried everything from vinegar to nail polish remover to Windex. And it wouldn’t budge. (and yes, I was using dry erase markers, not permanent.) But I finally found something that worked. A little bit of Goof Off and it wipes off super easily. So I’ll just keep a can nearby and use it as my eraser. No big deal.

I love having this large calendar to keep track of anything we have going on in the month. I know it will come in so handy and help me keep organized.

Plus it just makes me happy. Step one in my master plan for the command center is complete! Now I just have to figure out what else I’m going to add!

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My Favorite Books for Young Readers

By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 17, 2013 - 4:30 am | Good Causes, Kids

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!

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 | Good Causes, Kids, learning

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Storybook Printables for Children’s Book Week

By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 13, 2013 - 4:30 am | Good Causes, Kids

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.

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

Download the PDF- Boots & Adventure

Download the PDF- Hundred Minus A Day

Download the PDF- Nothing is Impossible

Download the PDF- The Smallest Things

Download the PDF- Where Are Your Manners

Download the PDF- Faith and Wings

Download the PDF- The World is a Garden

Download the PDF- Stronger with the Wind

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When life hands you lemons…

By Brie @Darling Doodles | May 10, 2013 - 4:30 am | gift ideas

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.

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.

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

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Creamy Cheese Ravioli

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

3 Comments

My 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.

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

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

Heat through and season with salt and pepper.

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.

Yum-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?