I found a wonderful recipe for homemade HERO sandwiches.  This is the perfect sacked lunch recipe because you make it the night before.  Then, you let the sandwich sit in the refrigerator overnight and VOILA – Lunch is ready to go!  Here is my rendition of this HERO sandwich recipe.

Hero Sandwich

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 (1 pound) loaf round, crusty Italian bread
• 1/2 pound sliced deli turkey meat
• 1/2 pound sliced ham
• 1/4 pound sliced salami
• 1/2 pound sliced mozzarella cheese
• 6 leaves lettuce
• 1 tomato, sliced

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar and garlic. Season with parsley, oregano and pepper. Set aside.
2. Cut the off top half of the bread. Spoon 2/3 of the olive oil mixture into the bottom. Layer with turkey, ham, salami, mozzarella, lettuce and tomato (You may not use all of your meat and cheese depending on what you like – eyeball it!). Pour remaining olive oil mixture on top, and replace the top half of bread. Wrap securely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

Please note: this recipe makes 6 servings

Here is another Woman’s Day Back-To-School craft you can do with your kids to get them excited about learning.  These cute Pencil/Scissor Holders can be used on their desk at school or home. 

Decorative Pencil Holders

Materials

• Tin can
• Sandpaper
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Printed paper (i.e. gift wrap or an enlargement of a color photograph)
• Scissors
• Spray adhesive (Elmer’s has a good one)

NOTE: A recycled can is perfect for this project. Sand the upper edge first!

Directions

1. Rinse and dry an empty tin food can. Sand the upper edge to smooth interior surface.
2. Measure cup circumference; add 1⁄2 inch. Measure cup height. Measure, mark and cut a piece of printed paper to these measurements.
3. Spray adhesive on wrong side of paper, then smooth onto sides of cup, working from center out to eliminate air bubbles.

Happy Crafting!

Camberley

Chalkboard paint is all the rage now a days.  Especially black chalkboard paint.

Mark Olson

If you don’t have room in your house for this kind of chalkboard paint treatment – don’t be sad.  You can spend time with your little ones creating personal chalkboards. 

There are many chalkboards paint colors you many choose from, so don’t feel confined to your typical green or black.

via Apartment Therapy

Here’s how it goes…..

PERSONAL CHALKBOARD

Materials:

Plywood (cut into any shape)

Frame (optional – just make sure they plywood will fit inside frame)

Sandpaper

Chalkboard Paint

Tacky Glue

Decorating Accents (i.e. buttons, ribbon, photographs)

To begin sand and seal plywood.  Then, apply at least 2 coats of Chalkboard paint (follow the manufacturer’s instructions)

Once paint has dried apply desired decorating finishes. For example, add a button border, add good quality ribbon to help hang the chalkboard, glue a photograph in the top corner, frame the board in a nice frame….the possibilities are endless.  Be creative and see where it takes you!

via Home Made Simple 

Happy Crafting!

Camberley

Are you looking for a fun craft to do with your little ones today?  Would you like to do a craft that will get them excited about reading?  Well then, I recommend creating BOOKMARKS! 

Here’s how you do it…

Bookmarks

Keep track of your favorite books with this handy bookmark

From WomansDay.com

Instructions:
Cut 2″ x 10″ strips of Fun Foam for base of bookmark. Cut additional shapes, such as face or star. Use decorative scissors if desired.

Glue shapes to one end of strip. Decorate shapes with markers, movable eyes, pompom nose, yarn and hair.
Write names of books you’ve read on base strip.

Now that School is back in session (or about to be in session), I’m sure many mothers are looking for quick and hearty breakfast recipes for your children.  You know the kind of recipes that will stick with them for a few hours and provide extra brain power? 

This week, I have the perfect recipe for all you mothers out in mother land.  Courtesy of CDKitchen.

SPICED OATMEAL

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  ***ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (for each serving)***
•  2/3 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• Brown sugar (optional)

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the first seven ingredients; mix well. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months. Yield: 9 batches (about 1 cup total).

To prepare oatmeal: In a bowl, combine oats and 2 tablespoons oatmeal spice mix. Add enough boiling water until oatmeal is desired consistency. Sprinkle with brown sugar if desired. Yield: 1 serving.

Enjoy!

Camberley

Now that your kids are back in school (or about to start school), are you concerned they won’t drink enough water once out of your watchful care?  How about doing a fun kids’ craft to get them excited about HYDRATION! 

While flipping through my Woman’s Day Cool Kids’ Craft Publication, I stumbled upon cute, practical and easy craft – WATER BOTTLES.

Water Bottles

Add a splash of style to your water bottle

  MATERIALS:

• Paint Pens (metallic, glitter or dimensional)
• Water Bottle
• Stickers (optional)
• Sewing Trim (optional)
• Charm on a ribbon (optional)

Instructions:

Use paint pens to write inspirational messages (another idea = the child’s name/hobbies) or draw designs on the bottle.  Be sure to allow time for ink to dry as you rotate it.

Decorate the bottle with your favorite stickers.

Hang a charm on a ribbon or sewing trim and tie to bottle top, for more pizazz.

Have fun Crafting!

Camberley

Recently we purchased the Woman’s Day Cool Kids’ Crafts publication.  In the Back To School section of this magazine, there are a couple of creative kids’ crafts.  One craft that I found to be especially cute and clever is called “POCKET IT“.  Here’s how it goes:

POCKET IT

Create a place for your pens right on your notebook

Materials Needed:

• Pocket from old pair of jeans or other piece of clothing
• Notebook with colorful cover
• Tacky Glue (they recommend Aleene’s Original)
• Paint Pens, Buttons, Sewing Trim and Stickers (optional)

Instructions:
Cut away small pocket from an old pair of jeans or other piece of clothing. (Leave the back, so the clothing stays intact.)  Attach pocket with tacky glue to the front of notebook. Let dry.

Once the pocket has dried, let your child decorate it to their liking with crafting supplies (i.e. paint pens, buttons, sewing trim or stickers). 

Have fun!

Camberley