If you have a child who loves all things reading, this FREE Valentine Bookmark Printable will be the perfect card for them to share with classmates this year!
If you've been around for more than two seconds over here, you'll know Kyle is obsessed with books and reading. When most other kids were playing with toys over Christmas break, Kyle had observed that he had 109 books in his bedroom, and was determined to read all of them before he returned back to school in January.
With Valentine's right around the corner, I thought it would be so fun and perfect to make a free Valentine bookmark printable to share with all of you, and for Kyle to handout at school. Now admittedly, Kyle found some Minecraft Valentine's that he's really jazzed to give his friends, but he has several teachers this school year, and he's 100% giving these bookmark Valentine's to them at their classroom party.
Free Valentine Bookmark Printable:
This Valentine bookmark printable is pretty simple to make and cut out. There are two different color formats, a pink and purple template, and a red and blue template. To make these you'll simply print them out on card stock, and then using scissors or a paper cutter, cut along the thick black line to cut them out.
You can then leave the bookmarks as is, or you can do a hole punch at the top and add a ribbon. for a fun extra touch. You could also laminate them for extra durability.
To download these free Valentine's Day Bookmark Cards, please click the large download link below.
Best All in One Wireless Printer:
I bought the Epsom EcoTank Printer back in February 2020 and it's by far been one of the best purchases I've made. While the initial cost might be high, I can say that I've used this a ton and have not had to purchase new ink yet! The ink that the printer comes with is enough ink to print 4,000 colored pages and 7,500 black and white images. It is seriously the best feeling to not have to worry about running out of ink and being able to use your printer whenever you need it!
This free Valentine's Day Coloring Pages PDF is the perfect activity to print with kids at home! Enjoy coloring pages, word searches, color by number, and more!
With Valentine's Day a month away, I figured it was perfect timing to launch my Valentine's Day coloring pages PDF. This is the sixth installment of coloring pages I've produced over the last year, and I love that I challenge myself to learn new skills with each set that I put out. This month I'm excited to share a new color by number picture, and a Valentine's word search!
Valentines Day Coloring Pages PDF:
This pack of coloring pages consists of six different pictures that you can print right from the comfort of your home computer. This set includes four Valentine's Day themed pictures, one heart shaped color by number coloring sheet, and a Valentine's Day word search. I think my very favorite picture of all though would have to be the unicorn! It's the most detailed picture I've done so far, and I had so much fun putting that one together (even though I had to completely redo it twice!)
How to Print Valentine's Day Coloring Pages PDF:
To print these coloring pages simply scroll down to the bottom of this post where you'll see a large link to click. It will take you to a google drive where you can click the down arrow in the top right corner to download these to your computer. From there you can print the PDF as you normally would!
Best All in One Wireless Printer:
I bought the Epsom EcoTank Printer back in February 2020 and it's by far been one of the best purchases I've made. While the initial cost might be high, I can say that I've used this a ton and have not had to purchase new ink yet! The ink that the printer comes with is enough ink to print 4,000 colored pages and 7,500 black and white images. It is seriously the best feeling to not have to worry about running out of ink and being able to use your printer whenever you need it!
Homemade chocolate covered strawberries are super easy to make, way cheaper than purchasing at the store, and make the perfect treat for Valentine's Day!
Chocolate covered strawberries are the highlight treat during the month of February. While purchasing them and having them delivered to your home is easy and convenient, I much prefer making homemade chocolate covered strawberries. When you make them on your own you can control the cost, you know how fresh the strawberries were before you dipped them, and you get to customize them to your own preferences.
Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberries:
Making homemade chocolate covered strawberries is super easy! All you need to do is microwave your chocolate in 30 second increments, stirring in between. Then you simply dip your strawberries, shake off the excess chocolate, and then let them harden on some wax paper. From there you can decorate with different drizzles, sprinkles, cookie crumbs, nuts, etc...
How to Store Chocolate Covered Strawberries:
Chocolate covered strawberries are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help preserve the strawberries the longest and prevent them from getting mushy before you get around to finishing them all.
Cheap Chocolate Covered Strawberries Under $20:
I was able to get everything I need to make these strawberries for under $20 and one trip to the grocery store. After purchasing everything I needed, my total cam to exactly $19 before tax, and I'm able to make way more strawberries than I would get if I paid someone else $20 to make them.
Chocolate covered strawberries will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. They're best definitely best within the first two days, but day three definitely won't kill you. You just want to make sure they're gone before the fruit gets mushy and bad on the inside.
Best Chocolate for Chocolate Covered Strawberries:
You could use a super expensive, high quality dark chocolate if you really wanted to. I on the other hand refer to use almond bark almost exclusively when I'm making anything that involves melting and dipping chocolate. Almond Bark is available in the baking isle of most grocery stores, is very inexpensive for over a pound of chocolate, and oddly enough, contains zero almonds.
Almond Bark is made of Sugar, Oil, Cocoa, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor, and Milk. Is it the highest quality chocolate? No. Will it give you cancer? Maybe (joking kind of). Is it cheap, melts well, tastes great, and works for any an all dipping chocolate situations, 100% yes.
How To Decorate Chocolate Covered Strawberries:
Step One: Melt your chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments stirring in between each session.
Step Two: Dip your strawberries into the chocolate getting as close to the stem as possible, without actually getting the stem/leaves into the chocolate.
Step Three: Lay the chocolate covered strawberries onto some wax paper and allow the chocolate to harden.
Step Four: Taking your Wilton Cookie Icing, make a back and forth drizzle design on each of the berries. For these, I did a drizzle with both the white and the pink icings.
Step Five: Add a few sprinkles to the strawberries if desired.
Step Six: Place the berries on a plate in the fridge to harden completely, about 1 hour.
Yield: 12
Author: Paige Flamm
Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Homemade chocolate covered strawberries are super easy to make, way cheaper than purchasing at the store, and make the perfect treat for Valentine's Day!
Prep time: 15 MinInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 15 M
Ingredients
Strawberries
Almond Bark
Sprinkles
Cookie Icing
Instructions
Melt your chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments stirring in between each session.
Dip your strawberries into the chocolate getting as close to the stem as possible, without actually getting the stem/leaves into the chocolate.
Lay the chocolate covered strawberries onto some wax paper and allow the chocolate to harden.
Taking your Wilton Cookie Icing, make a back and forth drizzle design on each of the berries. For these, I did a drizzle with both the white and the pink icings.
Add a few sprinkles to the strawberries if desired.
Place the berries on a plate in the fridge to harden completely, about 1 hour.
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We're a week into 2021 and the memes all over the internet are already saying 2021 isn't going to be much different than 2020. I'm holding out hope that the world can still turn this around and that we can get everything moving in the right direction. One of my goals in 2021 was to bring more of the family blogging aspect back to this... family blog. I'm excited to share the ups, downs, and all arounds of what this past week (and all weeks moving forward) looked like for our little family.
Monday:
One goal that I made this year that I hadn't mentioned was starting therapy. I think so many people can benefit from it, and since I spent the entire last year advocating for children's mental health, I figured it was time to do the same for myself. Monday was my first session and I spent the following three days resolved to the fact that they screwed me up more than before I went in, but considering I'm a two time therapy drop out in the past, I'm resolved to stick this one out and not be a quitter in the name of pride... so we'll see how this goes over the next few weeks.
Tuesday:
Kyle had speech therapy that we've been participating in for almost six months now. He has two more visits before we're done with our "episode of care" and he has just come so far from where he was last winter when we pulled him out of public school. The difference it's made is huge, and I'm so so proud of the hard work that he's done to get here!
Wednesday:
Kinsley had physical therapy for the first time since getting her casts off and she did so well! We set new goals for her to work on over the next 10 weeks before we take a four month break, and I'm so excited to say we'll be working on forearm crutches! The big goal we have for her in 2021 would be to not use the walker anymore and to use crutches full time. This is beyond anything we could have ever hopped for, so I'm excited to see how it works! Our main goal though for the next 10 weeks is to just stand with the crutches, and eventually progress from there.
Thursday:
I was given new tasks to do with The Bamboo Brace and spent three solid hours working on that while the kids were at school. It filled my cup in all the best ways. I know I shouldn't tie my identity to work, and that I probably have problems because I like to work so much, but I seriously am so happy to have the opportunity to focus on that more in 2021 since my previous tasks diminished with the shutdown last year. Getting to jump back into that with both feet has been the best.
Friday:
The kids have remote learning at home today. They both have schoolwork to do on the computer and then we get to spend the rest of the day playing. Derek has this Friday off so at some point he'll be on kid duty while I get work done. Friday's are usually our library day, and then we have "Fast Food Friday" in the evening where we get in the car and everyone gets to get whatever they want for dinner. It's a great time killer before bedtime, and it's something we've been doing for almost two years now.
How was your week? I hope you're doing well and that this first week of the year has brought some good things to you and your family's life!
This spicy chickpea curry is the perfect vegan meal prep dish to make for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
A few years ago one of my new year goals was to eat a plant based diet for the entire year. That didn't last more than a couple months, but it has instilled a love of plant based cooking for me in my life, and more often than not I find myself reaching for plant based meals over anything else. This spicy chickpea curry is one that I've been making for the last several months. It's super easy to make, uses basic ingredients, and is perfect for meal prepping and eating throughout the week.
How to Make Vegan Chickpea Curry:
To make this curry recipe you're going to start with cooking your diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper together in a pan over medium heat and 1 tbsp oil. Once they have cooked gown and softened a bit, you'll add in all your spices, followed by the coconut milk and all remaining ingredients. Simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes until the carrots are tender, and serve.
Chickpea Curry Ingredients:
1 tbsp Olive Oil
4 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Red Bell Pepper, Diced
1 Green Pepper Diced
2 Carrots, Sliced into small rounds
1 Jalapeno
1 Yellow Onion, Diced
3 tbsp Curry Powder
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
2 cans Chickpeas, Drained
1 14oz Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes
1 14 oz Can Full Fat Coconut Milk
1/2 cup Vegetable Broth
What to Serve with Chickpea Curry:
This can easily be eaten on it's own, but to round it out and make it a more complete meal, you could pair it with some white or brown rice on the side. I also love eating it with a toasted piece of sourdough bread. You could also switch it up with some different grains like couscous or quinoa.
Spicy Chickpea Curry
Yield: 6
Author: Paige Flamm
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min
This spicy chickpea curry is the perfect vegan meal prep dish to make for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Ingredients
Spicy Chickpea Curry
1 tbsp Olive Oil
4 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Red Bell Pepper, Diced
1 Green Pepper Diced
2 Carrots, Sliced into small rounds
1 Jalapeno
1 Yellow Onion, Diced
3 tbsp Curry Powder
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
2 cans Chickpeas, Drained
1 14oz Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes
1 14 oz Can Full Fat Coconut Milk
1/2 cup Vegetable Broth
Instructions
In a large pot over medium heat cook your onion, garlic, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, jalapeno, and carrots in 1 tbsp oil (use more if needed), for five minutes until onions and peppers begin to soften.
Add in your curry powder, salt, and cayenne pepper, and cooke for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Next, add your chickpeas, fire roasted tomatoes, coconut milk, and vegetable broth to the mixture. Let the curry simmer for about 20-30 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and cooked through.
Serve over rice or your favorite grain!
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