1.22.2009

Bloglifting

Lately I've been SO inspired by other bloggers - you name it, there is someone out there with a talent for it, am I right? This week I've found a couple of juicy items I had to try out.

First, a recipe from Lisa Bearnson - Homemade Granola Bars! Okay, here is her recipe:
Homemade Granola Bars

4 cups Rice Krispies
4 cups oats
16 oz. large marshmallows (about 450g for us Canadians)
1 cube butter
1 T. peanut butter (optional)
1 cup miniature M & Ms (found with the chocolate chips) or 1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Combine cereal, oats, chocolate and/or M & Ms in a large bowl. In a microwave-safe dish (I use a large glass bowl), microwave marshmellows, butter and peanut butter. Cook one minute; stir; cook one more minute; stir. Pour over cereal mixture, stir, then press into 9 x 13 buttered pan. Cut into bars and enjoy!

I tried out the recipe yesterday - and it was GREAT, but here were my suggestions that you can take or leave. 1. I omitted the Peanut butter because I want to send these bars in my kids' school lunches (huge peanut ban there - and probably in every school in North America now). They still taste DELICIOUS! 2. I added about a 1/2 tsp. of Vanilla to the marshmallows AFTER they were melted and stirred. It just added that extra bit of flavor that I loved. This recipe made 20 GOOD SIZED bars and I already had most of the ingredients lying around here. You could even omit the Rice Krispies and use 100% granola for a heartier bar. I used the large oats to make the bars more robust (yeah, I said robust).

The kids loved these. The hubby loved these. Heck, I LOVED THESE! It easy as pie. (And just as tasty!)

The other fantastic find was in the form of a video tutorial a while back from one of my favorite Scrapbooking Divas - Leah! She posts the funniest videos on her blog that are also very inspiring. Recently she posted a video blog about how to re-cover a composition book (or any notebook) with scrapbook paper and embellishments. Okay, I could have figured this out on my own, but I probably wouldn't have thought about it. She (and her darling cohosts) give you exact specifications as to sizes etc. and shows you step by step how to do it. It's too much fun to watch.



So, I didn't have the same type of notebook they show, but my husband brought home a wonderful black hardcover notebook for me that I knew would work! I used papers from K&Company (from Michaels) and some Prima flowers to embellish the cover. The key was to use really strong adhesive like they suggested so it will all stay put. I LOVE my notebook.



But.

Here's my problem. What do I use it for? Can you help?? I'd love your ideas on what YOU use cute altered notebooks for ;) I LOVE your comments because it boosts my ego gives me lots of inspiration! Thanks!!

14 comments:

Lindsay Bateman said...

Hey Bobbi! beautiful notebook. I actually made one at a scrapbook convention i went to a couple of years ago...mine is just for random inspiration, project ideas, quotes...just that random goodness we all know and love! Kind of like a "comfort" thing for me!

One thing I love about this project too is that it makes a great gift. I made one for a friend who was going to work/travel in Peru for 6 months, or even to give out of the blue for a friend who may need a little pick me up...they make excellent gratitude journals!

Lynn said...

I would use it for my gratitude journal for the year. I use to write down ONE great thing that happened each day. It would make the BAD days seem NOT so bad in the end. Hmmmm...I think I need to do a journal like that again.

Maybe you can also use it for ideas or things you'd like to jot down when you are at a conference or women's time out or maybe even something to do with your line of work in photography. I bet you could write a pages and pages of the inspiration you receive while doing your photography! : D *wink*

{krista} said...

I have one I use for a journal, writing down thoughts and inspirational quotes. I suck at writing in it, though.

B said...

I agree with the gift idea, and since it has a B on it...

Actually, I'd have to say that it would be great to write those cute little things that the girls say in. You need one for that. You could do a book for each of them with their initials.

Or you could use it for RS notes, cause let's face it, you have tons going on and to keep RS tid bits in one place would be great.

Or it would just simply be a great place to jot down goals in. You know what they say about goals that aren't written down right? They are nothing more than dreams. But to write them down, you could also have something to keep track of how you are doing with them.

As for me, I'm huge into notebooks and things, there are too many options and never enough books. I'd use something like that as a journal, but than I keep one and most people I know don't.

I'm sure you'll find something and put it to great use.

Coach Prentice said...

Hey Bobbi...I don't get to comment much, because I usually have a toddler at my knee...or crawling up my leg...or hanging off one arm when I'm at the computer for brief moments throughout the day.

Anyway! All that to say...I use altered notebooks to keep track of books that people recommend. You know...someone raving about a book that you NEED to read and then ten minutes later you forget what they said. I take it to the library with me while the kids peruse, I do too.

Kristi said...

I would probably put it by my bed and write down all the things I want to do the next day in it, and repeat every night. sometimes I would cross off the things I do, but sometimes the things don't get done. hmm. kind of lame for such a cute book!

Norine said...

love your notebook and thanks for the other site will check out that video
I have 2 notebook now one is for directions on making things like boxes or fancy folds etc and also tips I pick up all over the blogs and things I want to try so I dont forget

the second is like a journal I write anything that comes into my head about scrapbook pages I want to do this way when I'm ready to do the pages I have the info
HTH
Hugs
Norine

Theresa said...

SO cute!! The only Idea I have is one I use, I have a calling at church and I write things I could be doing better and Inspiration I have recieved for that calling. Kind of like a calling journal.

Bonnie B. said...

We've made these with the YW in our old Ward. Great for Jornals. Or it could be a Journal where you keep notes from Gen Conf. Or, just stick it on an easel and display that baby...it's fabulous!!!

woodly said...

Beautiful book! I'd use to it to jot down ideas of things I want to make or do.

Or how about a budget book. It would make the budget more pleasant to work on, if it was in such a pretty book!

Rebecca said...

Great job on the book. I like to use cute books to make lists. I love to write crazy things on my list like....take a shower, make the bed, and then I can cross them off. Maybe you could use it to write cute sayings and things that your kids do. And I like having the tutorial - sometimes it's easier to watch then just read instructions. Plus it's more inspirational!

And the recipe sounds delicious. I am going to try that.

Laura said...

First your book is totally awesome, think I may have to make one!!
I covered my daytimer a few years ago and it was so lovely... people stopped me and wanted to know where I got it!
What to wirte...
Life moves fast and sometimes we forget to be thankful...
so every night I write in a book five positive things about my day. I have had alot of health ups and downs, and this reminds me that it isn't always the case, and that I do have alot of good days!!
just my thought
Laura

Laura said...

nominated you for a blog award, check it out!! on my blog!!!
You have encouraged me endlessly!!

Mandy said...

I am going to try those granola bars. Having pre-diabetes, granola bars are an easy and fast snack for me. Thanks!