Tag Archives: diy

Summer Learning on the Web

Posted on by

This summer I’ve got a lot going on. In addition to my endless reading list for exams in the fall I’m also working on my dissertation. I won’t bore you with the tentative details but it concerns playwriting in the classroom. Unlike the technological rants, opinions and observations I often spout about, playwriting is older than dirt. While you would expect the ability to find loads of information about technology on the web it may be less obvious to find information about playwriting. We’d both be wrong, however. It’s quite amazing the amount of information I was able to find … Continue reading →

DIY Baby Proofing: I did it!

As my daughter becomes more and more mobile, I am increasingly aware of all of the hazards in our apartment. There are exposed outlets, breakable knick knacks, and garbage cans within reach. A major hazard is our TV stand. There is a big pile of electric cords and wires under it, easily within reach of a curious baby. I wrote about a solution I read about online. It’s called curtained storage. I decided to give it a try, and am rather pleased with the results. I’ll go through each step with you, and also show pictures. Here are the before … Continue reading →

DIY Baby Proofing

Our baby just turned 7 months old today, and she’s getting eager to be on the go. When we put her on her tummy, she’s kicking, reaching, and wiggling. She can’t move forwards yet, but she can scoot backwards, and turn her body in circles. Our living room furniture faces the TV. When I see what’s underneath the TV stand and think about the fact that our sweetie may soon be crawling, I shudder. Lurking under the TV stand are piles and tangles of electric cords. They include cords that plug the TV into the wall, cords that connect the … Continue reading →

How to Make Your Own Dry Shampoo

Interested in trying a dry shampoo? You don’t have to shell out big bucks if you’ve got a well-stocked kitchen and medicine cabinet. I bet you’ve already got everything you need on hand. The quickest, simplest dry shampoo recipe I found? Take a little corn starch — yes, the stuff used in cooking to thicken sauces — and work it into your hair. Start at the roots and scalp, where hair tends to be the oiliest. Scrub it around as if you were using shampoo in the shower, then brush or comb it out. The corn starch will soak up … Continue reading →

Fourth of July Fun for Kids

Happy Fourth of July! The long holiday weekend spells good times for many families across this great country of ours. Picnics, fireworks, and fun are essential parts of Independence Day celebrations. However, if you are partying with young children, you might need more than a Frisbee and a cold one to keep the peace. The following family-friendly activities are ideal for keeping kids busy as they wait for the sun to set and the fireworks show to start: KIDDIE PARADE Create your own Fourth of July parade by decorating tricycles, scooters, and wagons with red, white and blue balloons, crepe … Continue reading →

Quick and Easy Fourth of July Picnic Foods

With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday this year you can expect even more company than usual at your local park. Competition for prime fireworks viewing spots will be heated, to say the least, but even if you don’t snag the ultimate seat, you can still have a spectacular Independence Day picnic with the following patriotic recipes: PATRIOTIC PASTA SALAD Ingredients: 1 (16-ounce) package tri-colored spiral pasta, cooked al dente 2 cups fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces 2 cups fresh cauliflower, cut into bite size pieces 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1/2 cup red onion, … Continue reading →

How to Paint a Tree Mural

(cc) image by SharonaGott/flickr While you may not be able to paint a masterpiece such of the likes of VanGogh, you can still create a beautiful mural in your home. The amount of skill you need to succeed is the ability to draw a straight line and to basically color by number. The tools you will need to paint a mural are: Acrylic paints, or pints of a kid safe paint like Crayola Washable Paint Transparency or Digital Projector – If you don’t own one, you can rent one. Paint Brushes Pencils Sharpie Pens Step 1. Find an image of a tree … Continue reading →

Super Summer Fun for Kids

Memorial Day marked the unofficial start of the summer season, but most kids are still in school for a couple more weeks. That gives moms and dads a little bit of time to prepare for long hot days when kids are home 24/7. The following fun activities are ideal for school kids of all ages looking to stay cool during the dog days of summer: KOOL AID FINGER PAINT: Ingredients: 2 cups flour 2 packs unsweetened Kool-Aid (in your favorite colors) 1/2 cup salt 3 cups boiling water 3 tablespoons oil Directions: Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add … Continue reading →

Edible Sand Castle and Other Summer Fun for Kids

Can’t make it to the beach this summer? Don’t let the “Mom, I’m bored!” blues get you down. Instead, consider making your own summer fun at home with the following fun ideas: EDIBLE SAND CASTLE Ingredients: 1 package (18 1/4 ounces) banana cake mix plus ingredients to prepare mix as directed on box 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 package (6 serving size) instant butterscotch flavor pudding mix, plus ingredients to prepare mix as directed on box Clean small plastic beach pail and shovel 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, divided Beach-themed candy: Gummy fish, octopus, starfish, … Continue reading →

Hot and Spicy Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Spice up your Cinco de Mayo celebration with these sizzling hot Mexican recipes. They are easy to prepare and are sure to fire up your guests on the fifth of May: CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP Ingredients: 1 onion, finely chopped 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1 12-ounce can of tomatoes 1 1/2 lbs. of cooked chicken, cut into 1-inch cubes 3 ears of fresh corn 2 tablespoons salsa 4 cups chicken broth Pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 8 corn tortillas Canola oil Sour cream for garnish Shredded mild cheddar cheese Directions: Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in … Continue reading →