Summer Inside activites

5 favorite Indoor Summer Activities

Leave a comment

For those days that are just to hot to be outside, we need Indoor Summer Activities!

My boys love to be outside and we usually spend a little time every day  in the sunshine, but some days we need to be inside by 10 am, usually just for Mommy’s sanity! And the heat can be intense where we live! 

 

 

So here are 5 favorite indoor summer activities:

indoor sand boxes.

summer indoor activities

The boys love these! My Mom gave William one years ago. These box lids latch and keep everything together. The boys spend a lot of time, building moutains, digging, driving their tractors through the sand, and using cookie cutters to make shapes in the sand.

If you’ve been around here a little bit, you probably know I don’t like messy play, as in, My boys will tell you, play dough is illegal in our house haha But, this sand is manageable for me.

It is a mess I can handle

Pretty easy to clean up! Just usually wipe the sand back into the boxes. And sweep what landed on the floor. It’s soooo much easier to clean up them playdough smooshed into everything!!! And don’t even mention slime!!! Lord bless you if you are a fun Mom that can enjoy all that!

This post contains affiliate links, I may receive a small comission if you shop through them. Thank you!

creative building with simple supplies is another favorite inside summer activity

indoor summer activities

With just a pile of popsicle sticks and clothespins, this activity is so inexpensive. yet it keeps my boys busy for a long time (and pretty quiet too!)

summer indoor activities

I feel like it is pretty healthy for our kids to have to look at simple supplies and come up with fun on their own. They should have a chance to be creative in their own way. It’s amazing what they come up with!

Workbook practice

We also do a very little bit of “school work”. Not enough to make it burdensome but just a little to help us not forget all we learned last year. And prep our in coming Kindergartner! I’m loving the Brain Quest books, the boys think they are fun! And I’m using summer time to introduce the boys to some of my favorite classic books!

Jumping around and balancing

These “rocks” are a big hit when we need to get our bodies moving! The boys can play with them indoors or out!

Nearly forgot to talk about our favorite activity around here.. winter or summer doesn’t matter. Legos will always be a top choice for my guys.

lego Block Building

William and I are working on this bigger project together but they also love the smaller sets, that they can build on their own.

And for the little ones just getting started with lego building, there are Junior sets that are a bit easier to put together!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of 5 favorite indoor summer activities! What are some of your favorite activities?

Need some recipe inspiration for these busy summer days? check out our recipes page!

I hope you are all enjoying the season,

Deanna Grace

Prepare for busy VBS mornings

Prepare For Busy VBS Mornings!

Leave a comment

It’s summertime which means we will need to prepare for busy VBS mornings! Vacation Bible School (VBS) is one of our favorite ministries to be involved in. They are like summer day camps, usually held at churches for the local area kids! You usually don’t have to be a member of the church to join in the fun! I encourage you to look for a church offering one near you! It’s a blast! But if your family is like ours, you aren’t used to getting everyone ready and out the door so early every morning. 

In just a couple of weeks, our two “big” boys will get to attend VBS at a church nearby (where we also participate in Awana club through the school year.) Then a month later we will all be going to VBS every day at our church where I will also be volunteering.

I know lots of families are used to running out of the house in the morning, during school days but for us homeschoolers, it’s a new challenge, for sure!
So, there are a few things we do, to help us

Prepare for Busy VBS Mornings

1. Prep Clothes

I lay out all of the boy’s clothes for the whole week! It may seem a little bit overboard BUT, there really isn’t much worse than not having enough clean clothes or someone not being able to find clean underwear, in the middle of a rushed morning! 

Prepare for busy VBS mornings
This is everything the boys will need.. socks and undies included.
tips for getting out of the house
I usually stack them up like this.. A pile for each day. And leave it here in our room, so I can easily grab what everyone needs each morning!

2. Prepare Lunches

Usually, VBS let’s out just in time for lunch. Especially for the week that I volunteer, getting everyone lunch is pretty ruff. So I prep lunches ahead of time for the boys and for me, so we can eat before we leave the church. This really helps keep the crankies at bay 🙂 and sometimes they even fall asleep in the car on the way home!!! One tip I’ve discovered is that if you put peanut butter on both pieces of bread then the jelly, it will help the bread to not get soggy! 🙂

3. Easy Dinners For Tired Days

I LOVE using my once a Month Freezer Meals for these days that everyone is just plain worn out! and rushing around for drop off and pick up means, I don’t have to stress about “What’s for dinner?” Here’s a link to how I use Once A Month Meals

Freezer Cooking Made Simple

4. Early Bedtimes for All

Everyone gets an early bedtime during VBS week. Even Mom!! Nothing is more hindering in efficiency, organization, temperaments, and everyone having a good time, like sleep deprivation! So, get everyone to be early and make sure you shut off the lights at a decent time too!

5. Pray Pray Pray

Pray it up, Mamas! The Lord Sees what we are striving to do with our kiddos. He cares about all of our troubles. Even the “small” things like getting our family out the door in one piece. And of course, Pray that all this preparation and effort provides for wonderful memories and lessons about Jesus for our kid’s hearts!

Freezer cooking in the summer - Loveandscribbles.com

Freezer Cooking for the Summer

Leave a comment

It’s almost summer and around here that means we’ll be out at the BBQ a lot more often! But you better believe we will still be Freezer Cooking for the Summer!

Once A Month Meals is amazing! It’s easy to use and implement no matter your eating or cooking style! I normally use mostly Instant Pot recipes from my Once A Month Meals Membership (and we love them) But there are all kinds of recipes available. Stove, Oven, No Cook, Easy assembly, crockpot, griddle, and grill!!

For the Grill!! I cannot tell you how many times we have been sitting around and think, oh man, the weather will be perfect for bbqing tomorrow.. but we don’t have anything in the freezer or fridge to grill!

Freezer Cooking for the Summer to the rescue!

Read More
Switching to mineral make up

Switching To Mineral Makeup

Leave a comment

I’m going to do it, I’m switching to Mineral Makeup! Not going to lie, I’m a little nervous and really hope I like it!
Have you ever tried switching to Mineral Makeup?

I’ve never been all that fussy about makeup, Didn’t even start wearing it until I was already an adult. But, I enjoy that it makes me feel pretty and put together and I’ve learned to have fun with things like eye shadows and lipstick!!

Switching to Mineral Makeup

Young Living has quickly become a part of our life, in every aspect. And you’ll find products from Young Living in nearly every room in our home (in both cars too) And now, you’ll even find Young Living in my make up bag.

Switching To Mineral Makeup

So Why switch?

We really have been becoming more aware of the products and toxins we use in our daily lives. Swapping as many items with synthetic fragrances and other unknown ingredients out for more natural products.

What Makes Savvy Minerals from Young Living so great?

Read More
HomeMade Egg bites

Instant Pot Egg Bites

Leave a comment

Have you tried the Sous Vide egg bites at Starbucks? Well, these Instant Pot Egg Bites are soooo much cheaper and just as yummy!

You can whip these up in just a few minutes and have them all week long. It’s a great option for when you are all running out the door!

I love eggs, but, sometimes it’s just not practical to get a pan out and fix up eggs in any form, on busy mornings. But with this Instant Pot Egg Bites recipe, It makes it as simple as just grabbing one out of the fridge on the way out! I’ve even seen some people stack these egg bites mold to make twice as much at a time. ( I would just add a minute or two to the cooking time, if you are stacking the molds)

HomeMade Egg bites
This batch was made with just 3 eggs, making them a little more squashed

You can make these anyway you like your eggs, I enjoy them with a little spinach, ham and cheese!

You can also try:

  • sausage
  • Bacon
  • tomatoes
  • Avocado
  • asparagus
  • peppers and onions

Print Recipe
 Instant Pot Egg Bites
HomeMade Egg bites
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
You:
Rate this recipe!
Course breakfast, Instant Pot
Cuisine Breakfast, Instant pot
Keyword instant pot, recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minute (plus time to come to pressure)
Passive Time 5 minutes NPR
Servings
Bites
Ingredients
Course breakfast, Instant Pot
Cuisine Breakfast, Instant pot
Keyword instant pot, recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minute (plus time to come to pressure)
Passive Time 5 minutes NPR
Servings
Bites
Ingredients
HomeMade Egg bites
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
  1. Scramble eggs with a whisk or fork, add half and half or cream,
  2. mix in whatever toppings you like some of my favorites are Spinach, Mushrooms, Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Ham, Bacon, Sausage, Salsa
  3. place 1 cup water and a trivet in your Instant Pot. place the mold on top of a trivet and place a round of parchment paper on top ( to help with the condensation)
  4. Set Instant Pot to 8 minutes on LOW pressure.
  5. NPR for 5 minutes, then release the remaining pressure. These will remain fresh for a few days in the fridge or you can freeze them for later!
Recipe Notes

Shop our page for supplies for this recipe! 

~Loveandscribbles.com

Share this Recipe
Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Leave a comment

There’s nothing like a creamy sweet potato!

I love throwing them into the Instant Pot and letting the magic happen!

Shot with DXO ONE Camera

I know I say this a lot, but This recipe for Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes really is simple! I think you’ll like them!

Here’s how we make Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

Cut up your Sweet Potatoes, If they aren’t gigantic ones like we’ve been getting lately, you can throw them in whole, just poke a few holes in them with a fork first. (and add a couple more minutes to the time.)

place 1 cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot insert. use the trivet and either just throw those potatoes in there or you can put them in a handy steam basket.

Place lid and make sure it is set to SEAL. Then press pressure cook (or manual) and adjust the time to 8 minutes.

Print Recipe
 Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes in just a few minutes! A great Side Dish for any meal!
Sweet Potatoes
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
You:
Rate this recipe!
Course Instant Pot, side dishes
Cuisine Instant pot
Keyword instant pot, recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Passive Time 5 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Instant Pot, side dishes
Cuisine Instant pot
Keyword instant pot, recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Passive Time 5 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
  1. For perfectly consistently cooked Sweet Potatoes, I like to slice my them up before cooking. (you can totally throw them in whole after poking some holes in them if you want, just add 3-5 minutes cook time depending on size)
  2. pour 1 cup of water into the insert of your Instant Pot. Then put the trivet in.
  3. Now either place sweet potatoes right on top of the trivet OR use a steam basket (makes it easier to take out)
  4. place lid and check that lever is switched to seal. press Pressure Cook (or Manual) and adjust the time to 8 minutes.
  5. Naturally Release Pressure for 5 minutes or more. Then Release remainder of pressure. remove from the Instant Pot
  6. Season to your liking and enjoy! ~ My favorite is simply, butter, pink salt, and a little mozzarella cheese.
Recipe Notes

~ Loveandscribbles.com

Share this Recipe
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew

Leave a comment

I know we are heading into Spring, but we have had a few cold rainy days still. So, this cozy stew was perfect! It’s really one of those recipes where anything goes, and if you like more meat or more veggies, whatever you’d like go for it!

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew

Really, this recipe is more like a starting place 🙂

I started this recipe with a “block” of frozen stew meat pieces. You can use fresh or frozen.

Dust it with a little flour and saute with some butter in your instant pot. When using thawed meat you can get a nice sear on the meat and it adds some extra flavor. But, even with the frozen this stew ended up being flavorful and tender!

Add a little oil (any you prefer) and add the onion, salt, and pepper. stir. Now just throw in the mushrooms, carrots, tomatoes, and butternut squash to the pot!

Pour in 2 cups of beef broth and all the seasonings!

Now it’s time to cook your Instant Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew

Read More
hand soap

Easy DIY Foaming Hand Soap

Leave a comment

Today I am Making My Super Easy DIY Foaming Hand Soap!

It only takes a few minutes and a couple of ingredients!

If you’ve been around love and scribbles for a little while, you’ve probably noticed my focus has been on switching out the products we use around our home. Ditching the toxic, chemically laden products for natural, plant based ones, wherever we can!

This Easy DIY Foaming Hand Soap is exactly what we need to trade in the (who-knows-what) ingredients in what we use to wash our hands everyday!

Read More
home made liquid laundry detergent

Home Made Liquid Laundry Detergent

1 Comment

I’ve never made my own home made liquid laundry detergent but, have always wanted to. I suppose I thought it involved a lot of steps and mess and just didn’t feel like tackling it, Until today!

And the only reason I even attempted to make home made liquid laundry detergent today, was because I found this awesome ingredients list and instructions that make it a whole lot easier than I ever thought it could be.

First let me tell you about some of the reasons why I want to have my own homemade liquid laundry detergent 

Laundry detergent is one of the most toxic, chemically laden products in our homes.

The Think Dirty app lists most of them as 8 or 9 on their toxic ratings.
listing problematic ingredients such as

  • Fragrance – possible Carcinogen, possible allergic reactions
  • Sodium Borate (also known as Borax) – Respiratory and sin irritation.
  • Alcohol Ethoxy Sulfate – skin irritation.
  • Diethylene Glycol – pregnant women use with precaution. this is restricted for use in cosmetics in Canada and completely banned in other countries. * a note here to say this ingredient is in Tide!! Did you know that? I sure didn’t!!

The last store bought detergent I had been using had over 30 ingredients!! With other leading brands having as many as 45 different ingredients!!!!

Now let’s look at the ingredients I’m using to make my home made liquid laundry detergent.

  • Washing Soda, Arm & Hammer
  • Baking Soda
  • Thieves Laundry Soap – from Young Living
  • Thieves Household Cleaner – from Young Living
  • essential Oils (optional but so great!)
  • Water

And that’s it! Now, not only do I know what is in my home made laundry detergent, but It’s so easy to mix together!!

Continue reading to find out how to make it or you can watch this video ( I wasn’t going to post this video, I’ve never recorded a video with my kiddos “help” and it’s not the way I wanted it to be. but hopefully it helps you see how easy it is to make this! and maybe a peak into real life over here)

Read More

Late For New Years

Leave a comment

Happy New Year! I know, that was so last week! hahaha I’m a little late for New Years, But, I’m slowly getting into the groove here.

Do you like the New Year? I get super excited about all the New. But, then I get super overwhelmed by it very quickly!

I love setting goals and getting organized, but I also don’t order a new planner or get any calendars until the first week of January, so I sit here waiting for them to arrive and then scramble to get started using them.

And you know what? It’s ok to be late for New years

And why does it feel like no one remembers how to do the school thing, (even mom) after a 2 week Christmas craziness break? We have been struggling to focus, that is for sure.

But, I won’t let any of it stop me from planning, dreaming, setting goals and even getting my calendar in order… even if it’s mid-January when I do.

I saw a funny meme the other day that said,

Pages: 1 2