Easy Ombre Painted Pumpkins

This easy pumpkin painting idea brings the style of ombre to your fall decor.

I love to decorate pumpkins! In years past I usually carved them, but we painted a lot of pumpkins on our facebook live show on Quirky Momma and I have to admit, I was hooked on the options painting brings to pumpkin decorating!

This was one of my favorite pumpkins! The pumpkin was a tiny one, and the technique was simple. With a brush, 3 colors of pink paint and some mod podge, this little beauty came together in just a few moments time and was admired by all who saw it in our yard!

Supplies needed:
A Paint brush
A Pumpkin
Mod Podge to seal
3 shades of paint (I used 3 shades of pink)

Directions:
Begin by painting the bottom the darkest shade of paint you want to use.
Use the second paint in a shade a little lighter than the bottom shade
Paint the top portion in the lightest shade.
After the paint has dried, use the mod podge to seal your pumpkin so that the wildlife is disinterested in eating it, and the weather doesn't wash your efforts away!

There you have an easy ombre pumpkin for fall decorating!

You can find all of my Halloween ideas here.

Favorites include:

Paper Plate Witch

Mumkins

Easy Apple Tree Stained Glass Window

Cute and easy to make, this kids craft adds a pretty touch to any window, just like stained glass!

We love to craft with contact paper, it is so much fun to use in so many projects! But, one of my favorite uses for it is to make 'Stained Glass' or window decals! These are so cute!

With fall being on the way, our thoughts drift towards the apple orchard almost every weekend. We head out for the time together as a family, harvesting fruit, eating fresh donuts and playing outside. In anticipation of the fun fall weekends that are to come, we made these easy as pie Apple Tree Stained Glass projects.

You will need:
one square of transparent contact paper per decoration
assorted colors of tissue paper, we used green and yellow
one strip of brown construction paper

Lay your contact paper sticky side up
Place your brown paper on the sticky paper to form a trunk
Next cut small circles of yellow or red tissue paper for apples
Place the apple cut outs around the tree
Fill in the leaves using green tissue paper
Leave a few sticky places without paper to easily affix to the window for displaying.

Popcorn Candle DIY

Fall is on the way and I am itching to decorate, bake and savor the cooler weather and the bounty of last of the season produce that I will scout out in the coming weeks! This year I want to keep my decorations for autumn simple and my costs at a minimum. I am gathering inspiration from nature to make my home feel warm, inviting and seasonal.

I have been experimenting with natural supplies to create stunning additions to my decor. This super simple candle holder is perfect for adding something naturally lovely to your home this fall on even the tightest budget!

All you need is a bag of popcorn kernels and a LED tealight and a clear glass candle holder.

Simply fill the candleholder with popcorn kernels then add a battery operated tea light!

I made a short facebook video to show you how lovely this is. I love the simple touch of natural beauty this easy project offers. You could also wrap a simple burlap ribbon around the candleholder also to add another sweet touch to the finished product.

4 Effective Tips To Help Your Newborn Sleep At Night

 This author receives a commission through recommended links in this content.

The journey of motherhood is a beautiful one. However, it is safe to say that it can be challenging, especially when you have a newborn. Newborns do not run on your existing schedule, making sticking to your regular routine challenging. As a mom, you need to get as much rest for the tough days ahead as you need to conquer, but this can be challenging with a baby who struggles to sleep at night. Fortunately, you can get your newborn to sleep at night with the right tips. Here are a few ways to do so. 

1. Keep your baby’s crib close by your bed

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According to experts, one way of ensuring that your baby gets a good night's sleep is to let them sleep in the same room as you. This is not to say they would have to lie on the bed. Instead, you can simply move their bassinet or cot into your room. With them sleeping by you, you can check on your child periodically. This encourages safe sleeping as you can determine if the baby is uncomfortable and resolve it immediately. It also prevents the risk of injury and fatal phenomena such as sudden infants death syndrome (SIDS). 

2. Ensure they are snug and warm

Just like you, your baby would struggle to sleep at night if they are uncomfortable in their cot or bassinet. Therefore, you must ensure that their mattress is soft and baby-friendly before purchasing or before the baby comes home. Additionally, you should ensure that the room is sleeping-inducing. For example, a cooler temperature would likely make your baby more comfortable. For some babies, swaddling helps them fall asleep faster. Swaddling is simply wrapping the baby up in light, breathable material, such as muslin swaddles, to keep your baby calm and sleepy. When swaddling your baby, be sure not to wrap them up too tightly, and remember to place them on their backs when swaddling.

3. Watch out for signs of tiredness

To ensure your baby sleeps at night, you must determine if they are tired enough. The last thing you want is to place your active baby in the crib because they won’t fall asleep soon. An effective way of determining if your child is ready for bed is by watching out for signs of tiredness. Babies have several signs to indicate they are tired. These include rubbing eyes, fussing, and crying. Responding to these signs swiftly would ensure your baby gets to bed and begins sleeping early. 

4. Create a routine before bed

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Your newborn baby doesn’t know the difference between day and night time. Therefore, they can sleep at any time during the day and be wide awake at night. In this case, create a routine with your newborn, especially before bed. For instance, you can give them a nice warm bath before bed or ensure you feed them before to prevent them from waking up in the middle of the night due to hunger. You should also consider singing them a lullaby each night to keep them relaxed for sleep.

Easy Paper Apple Craft

Every day, my little girls says, "Let's make a craft!" I love her enthusiasm and always encourage activities we can do together. On this particular day, we were anxious to get into some fall themed crafts, and we are always super excited to kick off fall with the harvesting of apples!

This craft was so incredibly fun! It was a bit of a challenge for my almost 4 year old, but we worked together to get it right.

You will need:
A square of heavy white paper {Ours was about 6'' x6''
A piece of green, red or yellow construction paper
School Glue
A tiny strip of brown paper for the stem

To begin we made thin strips of green paper that were 4 inches longer than the square of paper
Next we began folding those strips of green paper so we had 2 folded edges per strip
We glued these on the white paper
Working in a circle we kept gluing both sides of the strips on to the square, being careful to not disturb the other strips of paper
At the end, we added a tiny stem to the top.

We liked this apple craft because it was challenging, a good exercise in patience for both Harp and I. It was also really cute when it was finished! This was a fun craft to follow up with apple slices as a snack!

Shiny Happy Pumpkin Craft

I know it is early into the month of September. I get it, it is still summer technically, but you guys... I can't resist making some awesome pumpkin crafts with my kids!

Today, we were ready to jump into the fall theme of things, so we surveyed our craft supplies and made these Shiny Happy Pumpkins! My almost 3 year old loved these large sequins and thought they were beautiful! I have to admit, this is the shiniest fall craft we have ever made, they do look happy too!!

To make a shiny happy pumpkin you will need:
A Paper Plate
White School Glue
Black Construction Paper
Scissors
Large Sequins in Brown, Burgundy and Orange

Apply glue to the paper plate, be generous!

Start filling in the plate with the large sequins. This is a great fine motor activity for kids of all ages! The sequins stick together and working them apart is great for little fingers!

As you fill in your plate, cut eyes and a mouth for your shiny happy pumpkin. With glue apply the facial features to the sequined plate.

And there you have a Shiny Happy Pumpkin!

Summer Slim Down Guide

So, how did spring quarantine treat you? 

I gained weight. So much weight that I am in SHOCK still. 25 pounds? Yes, easily. None of my clothes fit and I am miserable. Out of necessity, I am making an effort to walk more, eat less and drop all 25 of those pounds by the time fall rolls around. If I don't, I am likely to roll into fall at this rate.

I thought I would share with you some of my favorite products for living healthier with you, as well as what efforts I am making to drop the weight I have gained during covid. Samples were received and affiliate links have been used.

First, I stopped buying FAMILY SIZED BAGS and instead started buying multi-packs in bulk for all of our snacks. While it might cost a little bit more to buy a 40 pack of little bags than it does to buy a few family size bags, but it really helps with portion control on snacks. 

I started buying bigger bags of vegetables at the grocery store. If I buy it fresh, I will find a way to use it because I despise food waste. This leads to bigger servings of veggies with dinner and less room on my plate for extras.

I fast.

From 10 pm to 12 pm, I do not eat or drink anything with calories. Although I sometimes waver around 10 am with an iced coffee. I try to keep my calorie intake under 50 calories during my fasting period, so I keep that in mind when adding a splash of creamer, to keep my calories down. I think it is too early to tell if this is effective for me, but 6 days in, my pants feel looser. I will update you on this later.

I stopped weighing in daily.

I was feeling discouraged the first week I started trying to cut back. I saw no movement on the scales, and then that made me feel like, why am I denying myself anything? I am now hungry and overweight.  Instead I now weigh in two times a week, in the morning. I have seen my weight drop by 3 pounds, which is a wonderful start.

I started switching out for better snacks and higher quality meals. 

I know from personal experience that lifestyle changes come in steps. We usually dine out 3 times a week, so I reduced that to two meals out the first week.  I started adding more healthy proteins like salmon to my meal plan, and I started looking for lower carb options. 

Some of my favorite healthier snacks are Good To go Bars. These are great because the flavors are light and the texture of the bars is unique and pleasant. These are one of my favorite things to toss in my bag for in the car snacking without the guilt. Order them online, at about $24 for 9 tasty bars. I love vanilla almond and the blueberry cashew flavors the most.

When you think about cutting back and getting healthier, you probably imagine saying buh-bye to cookies. But, Made Good has a line of soft baked mini cookies that are perfectly portioned for an indulgent treat minus the guilt. I love that they are organic and offer a ton of nutrients in a sweet snack. Find the store locator to get snacking with Made Good! They also have awesome granola bars. 

A diet that leaves out treats, is a diet that is likely to fail. I have been treating myself to The This Line from Blissfully Better. I love that these tasty treats are portioned perfectly for a sweet to share, but also, they have minimal ingredients for a better product that tastes like real candy! I couldn't pick a favorite, because they are all noteworthy, indulgent and several are even low glycemic. Order them online  at Amazon or Blissfully Better in 4 or 10 packs.

I have never been an energy ball person but, I am a snacking person who likes real food. These energy bites from Metaball are actually really tasty and perfect for after a long walk with my dog when my appetite is peaked. I loved the cinnamon apple crisp balls! So good! Order them from Metaball for about $15 for a trial box to try them all.

Being more active means I need to keep hydrated. After a long walk, I like to wash down my healthy snack with a Greater Than Sports Drink. These are packed with electrolytes and have no added sugars. They have a great line to try, including watermelon and chocolate. Order a variety pack from Greater Than for about $44.

Grilled Chicken: 10 Delicious Ways

Fall might be here, but in my mind, that makes it the ideal time of year to fire up the grill! There is something special about gathering outdoors on a crisp evening and chowing down on some grilled chicken that I can't resist!

If you feel the same way about fall grilling you won't want to miss these 10 recipes! Of course, you could always bookmark or pin this recipe for future reference when the weather better suits you for grilling!

Dad's Grilled Chicken

Spicy Lemongrass Chicken Skewers

Chicken Fajitas on the Grill

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken

Grilled Chicken Caprese

BBQ Chicken with Pineapple

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken

Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs

Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza

Grilled Italian Chicken

Which of these grilled chicken recipes do you think you will make first? I think the Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken sounds pretty fantastic! If you have a grilled chicken recipe that you often go to when you need an awesome dinner, I would love to hear about it!

Cork Your Excitement! It's Pumpkin Painting Time!

Calling all crafty kiddos (and grown-up helpers)! Fall is in the air, and that means pumpkins are everywhere! But this year, why not skip the mess of carving and try a fun, textured pumpkin project using everyone's favorite leftover - wine corks?

Looking for a fun and festive fall craft for the kids? Look no further than cork pumpkins! This project is perfect for little hands and even littler attention spans. It's easy to set up, uses recycled materials, and lets kids unleash their creativity. Plus, it's a great way to introduce them to painting in a tactile way.

Here's what you'll need:

• Wine corks (enough for each child to make a pumpkin)
• A paper plate
• White paper
• Orange paint
• Paint brushes
• Green paint
• Black paint 

Pour a quarter sized drop of paint onto a paper plate.

Offer your little artists the corks, and encourage them to begin by stamping a circle shape with one color of orange paint.

Encourage the kids to now fill in the large outline of a circle by dipping their cork into orange paint and stamping it in.

When the pumpkin is filled in, dip the side of the cork into the green paint.

Slide the cork upwards to form a stem. 

Let the kids dot the stem with the wine cork.

Allow to dry and display on the fridge.

These are so cute and fun that you might want to make a few and share with a special neighbor or a grandparent.

Building Fine Motor Skills

Grasping a wine cork is a great way for little hands to develop the strength and dexterity needed for important tasks like writing and buttoning clothes. The wide, rounded surface is easy for children to hold, allowing them to focus on the creative process rather than struggling with grip.

Encouraging Exploration and Experimentation

Cork painting is all about having fun and getting messy! There's no right or wrong way to use a cork stamp. Kids can experiment with different dipping techniques, applying pressure to create lighter or darker prints, and even using multiple colors at once. This freedom to explore fosters a love of learning and experimentation, which are essential for a child's development.

Find more favorite cork painting projects here:

Cork and Button Apple Tree Art

Christmas Tree Stamp Painting

Hungry Caterpillar Process Art

Unique and Tasty Jello Shots

 Life needs a little jiggle sometimes, wouldn't you agree? And what better way to add a playful bounce to your step (or your party!) than with a vibrant, delicious jello shot? These sweet treats are the perfect blend of fun and refreshment, guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone's face.

Whether you're a seasoned party host or a jello shot newbie, this post is your one-stop shop for inspiration. We've got recipes to tantalize every taste bud, from classic favorites to boozy twists that will knock your socks off (metaphorically, of course!).

Be sure to click through the links to find the recipes you want to try.

Strawberry Cream Jello Shots by Fun Money Mom

These boozy little jello shots are just the thing for a summer party.

Easy Vegan Jello Shots by Cooking on Caffeine

This recipe makes for vegan jello shots so everyone can join in on the fun!

Pina Colada Jello Shots by Fun Money Mom

Give your tastebuds a tropical trip with these pretty pina colada jello shots.

Green Apple Jello Shots by Easy Party Cocktails

These jello shots have so much green apple flavor! These are awesome for a fall bonfire party.

Lemonade Jello Shots by Kimspired DIY

Give summer vibes with these incredibly flavorful lemonade shots!

Butterbeer Jello Shots by Simplistically Living

Adult fans of Harry Potter are going to want to cast a spell on you to get this recipe for butterbeer jello shots.

Peach Jello Shots by Organized Island

Pack a whole lot of peachy flavors into one tiny little cup with this recipe!

Champagne Jello Shots by Sugar+Soul

These champagne jello shots are just the thing for a celebration or New Years Eve.

Caramel Apple Jello Shots by Persnickety Plates

Having a fall gathering? Then you need to make a double batch of these caramel apple shots!

Cotton Candy Jello Shots by Princess Pinky Girl

These cotton candy jello shots are just so much boozy fun that you pretty much have to share them with your pals!

Strawberry Cheesecake Jello Shots by Cheesecake It Is

If you love cheesecake, then save this recipe for a boozy treat that feels so indulgent.

Creamsicle Jello Shots by Centsless Meals

These jello shots taste just like a summer staple with a kick! You will love these!

Rainbow Jello Shots by Balancing Motherhood

Layers of color make for a rainbow jello shot that is just the thing to brighten up  a rainy evening!

Layered Jello Shots by Surf and Sunshine

Layer these jello shots for a fun and pretty effect! These are going to be a hit at your next party.

Keto Jello Shots by Mom Foodie

This recipe makes for keto jello shots that are a guilt free way to let loose!

• Always use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
• Clearly label your jello shots, especially if you're serving them to guests who may not be familiar with their contents.
• Enjoy responsibly! Pace yourself and know your limits.

So grab your blender, dust off your shot glasses, and get ready to jiggle your way to jello shot fun! With these recipes as inspiration, you're sure to create sweet memories that will last a lifetime (or at least until the last shot is gone!).

Find more tasty cocktail recipes here:

Sour Apple Margaritas

Hill Billy Cider Cocktails

Bomb Pop Cocktails

Sunflower Stamped Pumpkin Patch Art

 

This adorable pumpkin patch art is great for kids of all ages! Made with simple supplies like paint, paper and a sunflower head, this is a great way to create art using nature!

Harper and I love to paint together. We have been crafting side by side since she was just a tiny toddler, strapped into a high chair for safety. We have painted pineapples, apples, baskets of fruit and even Christmas trees. We usually use corks to create our process art, but we had a bouquet of sunflowers that had seen better days, and well, inspiration hit.

We decided our fridge just had to have a pumpkin patch scene. We are all about creating refrigerator masterpieces . 

Supplies:

Orange paint

Green paint

A sunflower head

White paper

A paper plate

Pour orange paint and a small amount of green paint onto a paper plate.

Invite your child to press the sunflower head into the orange paint.

Encourage your child to press the sunflower onto the paper.

Use a stem, petal, or other small item to form the stem of the pumpkin with the green paint.

Allow the paint to dry, then

These were so much fun to make! And I think they turned out really cute! Harper was very proud of her efforts. Preschoolers can handle this project, as well as elementary aged kids like Harper. Your kids might also like to draw little pumpkin faces on these after they have dried.

I hope you get a chance to try this project with your family, it is the perfect project for a fall afternoon!

Find more fall ideas here.

Lovely Lobster Recipes for Summer

Herein lies a curated collection dedicated to the exquisite versatility of lobster. From time-honored classics to innovative culinary explorations, these pages offer a wealth of inspiration for transforming this celebrated crustacean into memorable meals. Prepare to delve into a world of rich flavors and elegant presentations, all centered around the unparalleled taste of the sea. 

Lobster Rolls by This Silly Girl's Kitchen

Get the iconic flavor of lobster rolls from New England in your own home kitchen. This recipe is so easy to recreate with chunks of lobster, plenty of butter and the tastiest blend of garlic, onion and mayo. Serve these with chips, fries or pickle spears on the side for a meal that sends your taste buds off to New England.

Lobster Salad by Bake It With Love

Combine crunchy celery, tender chunks of lobster and creamy dressing to make this amazing salad. It is the definition of delicious, and is sure to be loved by anyone who tries it. Lobster salad offers an elegant taste, but is so fuss free you can make it in minutes. Serve over lettuce leaves for the freshest flavor.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails by Cheerful Cook

Did you know that you can make lobster tails in your air fryer? This recipe is so easy to make at home, even on a busy night for a meal that delivers restaurant quality flavor without any of the fuss. I know you will want to make this for someone special. Don’t forget to offer plenty of melted butter on the side.

Lobster Bisque by Masala Herb

You can make the best lobster bisque from scratch! This recipe uses a thick tomato base with a tasty blend of herbs. Add chunks of lobster in for soul food in a bowl that sticks to your ribs and satisfies your cravings for great homemade food.

Butter Poached Lobster by Britney Breaks Bread

This butter poached lobster recipe makes such a wonderful meal. Serve tasty butter poached tails over a bed of pasta with creamy white wine sauce, and watch yourself fall in love from the first bite. This rivals any restaurant meal in quality, taste and presentation.

Lobster Yee Mein by Oh My Food Recipes

Skip take out and make this mouth watering lobster yee mein instead. It has tender noodles, succulent deep fried bites of lobster and garlic, ginger and green onions for a medley of flavors. You will love how quick this comes together and how delicious these simple ingredients are together.

Connecticut Style Lobster Rolls by Sweet Tea and Thyme

This lobster roll skips the mayo and dresses tender chunks of lobster in butter. You will love the flavor of this simple old school sandwich. Pair with pickles, fries, or some chips for a flavorful and filling seafood meal.

Creamed Lobster by Kelly Neil

Yarmouth style creamed lobster makes the best open faced sandwiches! You are going to love the simplicity of this recipe, and the amazing flavor. Cream, butter and vinegar bring out the best flavor in lobster. Make this for a treat for the taste buds from Nova Scotia to your home kitchen.

Maine Lobster Stew by Fearless Eating

This milky, creamy stew is such a treat. It offers wholesome flavor in comfort food form. You will want to make this on a chilly fall day for stick to your ribs, filling food.

Lobster Oreganata by The Top Meal

This Italian style lobster dish is so delicious. It uses bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and white wine to bake a dish fit for any Italian celebration. You won’t believe how easy this dish is to prepare, but you will be blown away by how it tastes!

Lobster Cobb Salad by Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Everyone loves cobb salad for a light yet satisfying lunch. This recipe elevates the flavor to a whole new height, by adding tender, buttery chunks of lobster. Make this any time you need a special lunch to share.

Lobster Stuffed Crab Imperial by Ask Chef Dennis

Lobster stuffed crab imperial makes for an unforgettable meal. This recipe comes from a chef, so it is restaurant quality, but you can grab the ingredients to make it super affordably for a celebration or special date night, at home.

Lobster Benedict by Chocolates and Chai

Eggs benedict is always a treat for breakfast or brunch but this recipe uses lobster to really elevate the flavor. You will want to make this for brunch with bottomless mimosas for an elegant homemade meal.

Baked Lobster Tails by Sweet and Savory by Shinee

This might be the best baked lobster tail recipe ever. It is so easy to follow and produces gorgeous, succulent results every time. Serve with a salad and a baked potato for a filling and delicious dinner at home.

Lobster Baked Mac and Cheese by Grand Baby Cakes

Mac and cheese is always a delicious addition to a meal. This recipe makes it the main course, and adds plenty of melty cheese, tender noodles and tasty lobster chunks. You won’t be able to stop thinking about this incredible comfort food meal after you make it yourself.

Find more favorite recipes here:

Cheese Stick Crab Cakes

Copycat Chicken Recipes

Foolproof Biscuits

Maple Brown Sugar Cookies