Favorite Kids’ Books

 

Fave Kids' Books // thepapermama.com

We love to read books in our home. I started my love for books at a young age. The moment I figured out how to read, I was hooked. I love losing myself in the world of a good book. Some early favorites were Goosebumps from R.L. Stine. So good. I’d read a whole book in one day as an 8-year-old.

My kiddo is only four and not reading on her own, but she has her favorites. We’ve been reading a few of these forEVER. She always comes back to them. I decided to share our Favorite Kids’ Books with you guys. Need some new kiddo books to read? Well, these are our current favorites. And just in case you’re wondering…. Yes. That is a turd on the mole’s head. It’s all about pooping and kiddo loves it. Slinky Malinki is another fave. She has that one memorized. Current faves: Katy and the Big Snow, The Story Of The Little Mole Who Knew It Was None Of His Business, Green Eggs and Ham, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, Slinky Malinki, and of couse The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Ok, what are your fave kid books? I’d love to hear so we can add some more to the library.

– Chelsey

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Categories: about me, family


Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable)

Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable) // thepapermama.com

Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable) // thepapermama.com

Biscotti is so delicious. It’s pretty much the perfect goody to partner with coffee. Right? For some reason I’ve never made this yummy treat. I have no idea why since it’s SO easy to make. No joke. The really great thing about biscotti is it’s supposed to be hard. Biscotti originates from Italy and means “twice baked”, and that’s exactly what you do with these cookies. You bake them twice. These cookies can also keep in the fridge for about a week, which makes them awesome gifts. Make them a day or two ahead of time before an upcoming party and package these cookies up as gifts for your guests. Just in case this sounds like something you’d like to do I made some “You’re so sweet!” gift tags (click here to download). To make your own, follow my recipe below.

Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable) // thepapermama.com

Pumpkin Biscotti with Starbucks Discoveries Iced Café Favorites™ – Vanilla Latte Coffee Glaze Recipe

Recipe adapted from this Kitchn recipe.

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
  • coffee glaze (recipe below)

Directions for biscotti:

– Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

– In a pan over medium heat, toast the pumpkin seeds until they are lightly browned and fragrant.

– Mix the dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, ginger, and nutmeg). In a mixer blend the eggs, pumpkin purée, and vanilla. Slowly blend the dry ingredients into the blender with the wet ingredients. Blend until combined.

Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable) // thepapermama.com

– Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Put the dough onto the baking sheet and form the dough into a rectangle shape (about 1 inch thick). This dough is SUPER sticky and will stick to your hands. Put it in the oven and bake for about 30 – 35 minutes, or until the top is a light golden brown. When it’s done let it cool on a rack for about 10 minutes.

Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable) // thepapermama.com

– Use a bread knife to slice the log into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Place the biscotti pieces back onto the parchment paper covered baking sheet (cut side facing down). Bake for an additional 10 – 15 minutes, or until the biscotti is firm.

Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable) // thepapermama.com

Starbucks Discoveries Iced Café Favorites™ – Vanilla Latte Glaze ingredients:

– Put the powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the Starbucks Discoveries Iced Café Favorites™ – Vanilla Latte, and vanilla extract to the sugar and mix together. The consistency should be barely runny. If it’s too wet, add a little more sugar. If it’s too dry, add a bit more coffee.

– Drizzle the glaze over the sides of the cooled biscotti. Let the glaze harden then prep your biscotti to give as a gift, or store in a container.

To download the gift tag printable, click here then right-click + save.

Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable) // thepapermama.com

Pumpkin Biscotti with Coffee Glaze Recipe (and free gift tag printable) // thepapermama.com

Did you notice the recipe above doesn’t use any oil or butter? Enjoy this yummy goodness.

– Chelsey

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Starbucks Coffee Company. All opinions are my own.

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Categories: food, Sweets


12 Outdoor Lighting DIY’s

http://www.bhg.com/blogs/better-homes-and-gardens-style-blog/2014/06/12/diy-ify-outdoor-lighting-diy/

Yesterday on the Better Homes and Gardens blog I shared 12 of my favorite Outdoor Lighting DIY’s. It’s getting warm at night and my family and I love to spend the evening outside. We don’t really have any outdoor lights at our home, so we plan to make some. I LOVE all of the lights I found. They all seem to be pretty simple to make, so head on over to the blog to check out all the links!

– Chelsey

P.S. The 4 images in the first photo are from: The Art of Doing StuffCheryl StyleBHG, and Design Sponge.

Categories: favorite blogs


Another shooting.

Yesterday there was another school shooting. This time it was in Oregon. My heart is so broken for the family that lost their son for absolutely no reason.

I prefer to stay away from anything political on my blog (since I really don’t know enough to say anything about it), but I feel like something needs to change. Whether it’s gun control or a better system for anyone in need of care mental illness. Something needs to happen. I want my kid to be safe when I send her to school. I hate that these shootings are becoming the norm.

Please keep anyone that’s been hurt in any of these shootings in your thoughts, and let’s start a change. We need a change.

– Chelsey

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Categories: announcement


You Make Me Happy Garland Surprise Snail Mail DIY

You Make Me Happy Garland Surprise snail mail // thepapermama.com

I LOVE snail mail. Not really a fan of bills… but I do love a fun letter or surprise from a friend or pen pal. One of my more recent projects for the HP Create blog was this You Make Me Happy Garland Surprise Snail Mail DIY! You don’t need a reason to send this gift. Just send it to say “hello” to your buddy or loved one.

Even though you don’t need a reason to send this, it would make a great birthday present or holiday gift. Just tie a gift or gift card to the end of the garland. Head on over to this post to get the full DIY. It comes with the free You Make Me Happy garland printable.

You Make Me Happy Garland Surprise snail mail // thepapermama.com

Do you have pen pals?

– Chelsey

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My Favorite Free Arrow Graphics

My Favorite Free Arrow Graphics // thepapermama.com

I love fee things. I REALLY love free arrow graphics (I know, weird). Today I decided to share some of my favorites with you. They’re all free for personal use. Enjoy!

Arrow Photoshop Brushes on Creature Comforts.

http://creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2012/4/12/free-download-arrow-photoshop-brushes.html

Cute Arrow Photoshop Brushes, from Julietta7599 on Deviant Art.

http://julieta7599.deviantart.com/art/Cute-Arrows-Brushes-411982467

IROCKSOWHAT always makes some great free items, her arrows are awesome.

http://www.irocksowhat.com/2012/11/free-photoshop-arrows-and-tutorial-on.html

Some cute hand drawn arrows from We Lived Happily Ever After.

http://www.welivedhappilyeverafter.com/2014/03/10-free-arrow-png-graphics.html

AND, a few more lovely arrows from We Lived Happily Ever After.

http://www.welivedhappilyeverafter.com/2013/10/8-free-arrows-for-digital-graphics-and.html

Mini Arrows Brushes, from odd hearts on Deviant Art.

http://oddhearts.deviantart.com/art/Mini-Arrows-Brushes-257263043

– Chelsey

P.S. Just a reminder that all these items are free for personal use and I really recommend to credit these designers any time you use their arrows. 


12 Amazing Father’s Day Gift DIYs

I’m 90% sure I’ll just get my husband some good beer and maybe some silly socks for Father’s Day… because he always likes beer and always needs socks. Even though I’ve pretty much decided what he’s getting I still think I might make something for him. We shall see. Maybe something I can start and the kiddo can finish? Well, for now here’ s a few Father’s Day Gift DIYs I’ve been checking out!

“DAD” Father’s Day Glasses/Card, from Mr. Printables.

http://www.mrprintables.com/fathers-day-printable-glasses.html

 Leather Tool Roll DIY, from Caila Made.

http://cailamade.com/leather-tool-roll-diy-giveaway/

Rustic Spice Rub DIY, from Evermine Blog.

http://www.evermine.com/blog/rustic-spice-rub/

Superdad Pillow DIY, from Willowday.

http://www.willowday.com/2014/05/fathers-day-pillow-cases.html

DIY Hair Pomade, from Roundhouse Designs for Momtastic.

http://www.momtastic.com/diy/425571-diy-hair-pomade-for-fathers-day/

Doughnut Tower with Kid Cake Toppers, The Paper Mama.

https://thepapermama.com/2013/05/a-mothers-day-doughnut-photo-tower/

“Happy” Cookies (could spell dad), from HP Create.

http://bit.ly/SRV7d8

Awesome Free Printable Father’s Day Card, from ZakkaLife.

http://zakkalife.com/printable-fathers-day-card/

Love Chef Apron, HP Create.

http://bit.ly/1hmzlpp

Father’s Day Printables, from Oh So Glam.

http://www.ohsoglamblog.com/2014/06/free-fathers-day-printables.html#axzz33pOMQ4HT

DIY Beverage Holder, from Growing Up Gabel.

http://growingupgabel.com/fathers-day-craft-beverage-holder/

 Dad Tie Bunting for dad’s pancakes, from Hazelfly.

http://www.hazelfly.com/dad-tie-bunting-and-card-free-printables/

Any father’s day gift ideas? Do you make something, or head to the store?

– Chelsey

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Categories: favorite blogs