{link list} 7.25.12 Edition

1. Confession: I am a very hesitant mantel decorator.  (Oh what a first world problem.)  I’m always second guessing myself and getting frustrated to the point where I give up and just leave it alone!  Mantel decorating is a skill I want to conquer though, so I’m taking notes with this post: A Year of Mantels.

2. New dinner recipes to try: Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps and Easy Garlic Chicken.  Oh and this guacamole…I love guac this pregnancy!  And for dessert?  Paleo-friendly German Apple Pancakes!

3. My kids love a good joke, but I usually quickly run out of ones that they (1) understand or (2) think are funny.  This post on 30 Kid-Tested (and Kid-Approved!) Jokes is on my must-print list.  M and D aren’t going to recognize this hilarious Mamma!

4. I love the look of these burlap placemats framed in simple IKEA frames.  So cute and perfect for the kitchen!  That Emily A. Clark is so clever!  

5. With all of the focus on preparing for Kindergarten, I’ll admit that I really haven’t put much thought into preschool for the D-man.  Oops!  So when Julie at Creekside Learning wrote Homeschool Goals for my New Preschooler, I actually cheered, ha!  So many good ideas there and I love how she’s broken them into goals…I’m definitely going to be printing out the list.

6. You must read the story behind the bakery, Mama Mead’s….so interesting, right?  I’m really curious to try some of her sweets – can gluten-free really be so delicious?  My top picks: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sea Salted Dulche de Leche Brownies, and Mama Os.    

7. Did you catch this cool Placemat Clutch DIY on Camille’s blog?  LOVE the idea and can you imagine the different possibilities??

8. I can’t believe a whole year has passed since I mailed in my Box Tops to Joplin!  I’ve kept an envelope in the kitchen and add as I come across them.  It’s a painless, easy way to really give back.  I plan on sending out my latest batch this week…if interested, you can find more information on their Facebook page.