by Allison

Roasted fennel and Roma tomatoes

Roasted Fennel and Roma Tomatoes

I’m always looking for quick, simple recipes to go with grilled chicken, fish, or meat.  I like roasting vegetables because they taste so gosh darn good.  That’s why I love these roasted fennel and Roma tomatoes so much.  It’s great as a side or fantastic on its own.

roasted fennel and tomatoes

I’ve grown to love fennel over the years.  It looks and behaves a little like celery, except that the stalks aren’t edible.  The fronds are, so if you find fennel at the store with them attached, keep them to use as an herb.  Fennel is good for the digestion and full of vitamins and minerals.  It’s typically used in Italian cooking.  The flavor is fresh and anise-y.  You can eat it raw, thinly shaved into salads and slaws.  Cooking it is a different story all together.  The flavor is mellow and can melt into submission with a long, slow cook.  Think:  caramelized onions.  But it’s also good quick roasted like this.  And fennel with Roma tomatoes from the garden….Oh, mama.  I’m getting hungry all over again.

roma tomatoes

If you want to (I’m just thinking about this now as I’m drooling), you could also throw some small, sweet onions … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

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by Allison

Teaching my children to conquer fear

There’s something all of us fear deep down, even if we don’t verbalize it or give into the terror.  Children are no different, but they don’t usually have much say in avoiding the things that make them nervous, whether it’s the barking dog on the walk to school or the terrifying spotlight of Show & Tell every Tuesday (that would have been me).

teaching children to conquer fear

Since I’m big on moving onward and upward, creating life lists, and overcoming fear big or small, I’ve been thinking lately about my approach to teaching my children to conquer fear.

We achieved a major milestone in the last few months with Precocious starting junior high, leaving Charming to fend for himself in elementary school.  Last year was officially the last time both my children attended the same school together, and we’ve squared ourselves into the wind to face the barrage of changes rolling into us all at once.  I won’t pretend for a second I’m not completely terrified by the turmoil of the elementary school playground bullying and the horrors of the junior high boys who don’t stop talking about sex long enough to take a breath (When do we talk about sex at … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

How to magnetic cork numbers and letters

Raise your hand if you had those primary-colored plastic numbers and letters magnets on your fridge growing up (or if you still have them).   Yup, thought so. They’re so fun to play with, right?  Today’s DIY is an updated version of those fun magnetic letters that look a bit cooler and are customizable to whatever color(s) you want.

How to magnetic cork numbers and letters:

 

how to cork magnets

 

Here’s a list of the supplies needed for this DIY how to for your very own magnetic letters:

  • roll of cork
  • stickers: numbers and letters
  • magnet tape
  • spray paint

how to magnetic cork numbers and letters


I used 3/32” cork on a roll. I wouldn’t go any thinner than that, but thicker cork would work fine just as long as you can cut it cleanly.

 

how to magnetic cork numbers and letters


Cut the cork into 2” long strips.

 

magnetic letters

Stick on the letters. I used the cutting board as a guide to center the letters every 2 inches.

 

diy painted magnets
Paint the strips.
magnetic cork numbers
Once the paint is dry, cut into 2” squares and peel off the stickers. Stick pieces of magnet to the back.

 

how to make magnetic cork numbers and letters
Stick on your fridge / locker / file cabinet and have fun with your new numbers and letters magnets!  Such … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Introducing the Lee skinny jean

– Editor’s note from Allison:  Last month I sent one of my new editors, Kalli Verbecki to a Lee jean mom summit in Kansas.  I can ensure you Kalli encountered a hot skinny jean or two on her trip, these are not the mom jeans of yesteryear.  Lee is on board with all the new denim trends, so prepare your mind to be blown with hotness: introducing the Lee skinny jean. –

jeans and heels

When Allison asked if I’d like to go to a blogger summit hosted by Lee Jeans I thought “why would I want to go to a mom jean blog party?”.  But then I thought that was a little harsh. Ever the equal opportunist, I checked out their website which is when my mouth sort of flopped open. Yo, when did Lee start making skinnies? They look good too!  Doubly attracted to the promise of a night in an upscale hotel with a room to myself I said I’d do it – and a few weeks later hopped on a plane headed to glamorous Kansas City, MO.

Truth? I had a great time. Lee and their PR team were nothing but gracious hosts. My fellow attendees and I were … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Halloween craft ideas and treats

halloween crafts and treats

 

Even though I’ve been a little AWOL with the headache of the century (I still love you, promise) I thought I’d round up some of my favorite Halloween links from the last few years of fun ideas to craft now that we’re so close to the big day.  What?  Halloween is totally a big day (around here).  Halloween candy is the most dangerous delicious ambrosia of the year, so I’ve got a handful of cool craft ideas to keep my your hands busy enough to stay out of the candy corn jar.

Good luck with that.

how to make halloween treat bags
pumpkin decor
halloween costume
painted pumpkins
easy ghost sucker craft
how to make caramel apples

– What do you think?  Any craft ideas or treats in the mix you’re up to creating?  I’ll be honest, the treats are my downfall.  Especially those caramel apples, they get me in trouble every year! –… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

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by Kimberly

Doing gluten-free for a friend

So, around these parts, there is a distinct sense of community. If  a neighbor has a baby, illness, endures a life changing crisis or just has a crappy week,  someone else magically, and mercifully, shows up on the doorstep with dinner or treats. A generous token of friendship and charity. I know, because I’ve been the recipient of such kindness a time or two or 16.  A little network of angels banding together to take care of one another. It takes a village, you know. Maybe your neighborhood is the same?

I like to return the favor whenever I can, but, what to do for someone with special diet concerns? Such a dilemma! Changing my own diet drastically has made me more sensitive to others’ eating habits, like being gluten-free.

tomato salad

If you aren’t sure, just ask. Most people, me included, are happy to explain what is and isn’t safe for their family to eat and will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Allergies? Special diets? I want to take something they will be able to enjoy, after all. Many moons ago I once was asked, with 2 hours notice, to prepare a dinner for a family of 6 that did not eat meat, … >> find out more…

Kimberly

...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.

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by Allison

Fall vegan chili dinner meal

– Here’s another delicious Fall meal from our very own Lindsey of Cafe Johnsonia.  Today she’s got a Fall vegan chili dinner meal for you to make on a blustery Fall evening, with a side of GF cornbread.  I don’t think dinner gets better than that!  Unless you want to make the last dinner Lindsey posted, a tasty Fall dinner sausage and peppers with polenta. –

chili dinner vegan

Let me guess…you’re in the mood for something warm and comforting to get you through these chilly Fall October nights? This hearty, healthy chili has just enough heat to keep you and your mouth warmed up and your belly full of goodness.  With all of this flavor, trust me, you won’t miss the meat one little bit.  Also, what’s chili without cornbread on the side?  I’ve been trying to perfect my gluten-free cornbread, and I think I’m getting there with this recipe.  It’s super soft and moist.  (Can I just say that I hate that word, but what else can I say?  It’s moist.  GAH.)

Load up your chili with garnishes like end-of-the-season tomatoes, avocados, sliced jalapeno and cilantro.  If you aren’t off dairy, then dollop on some sour cream and sprinkle … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

DIY candle cozy recycle craft

–This is the 2nd post from my phenomenal new editor Steph.  Last week Steph instructed us on how to make a ridiculous cute DIY painted pumpkin craft, and I can’t wait to paint my own.   Today she’s going to teach us how to do a cool craft using a couple of things you can recycle into a cozy craft.  So adorable.  Thanks Steph!–

DIY recycle candle cozy craft

A few months ago I was on a real pb+j kick, and when I finished the jelly and rinsed out the jar to drop in the recycling bin, my little diy-blogger-conscience popped up on my shoulder and scolded me for even thinking about doing such a thing. I then promptly bought more jelly if only to add to my new collection of glass jars with no real idea of what to do with them; they just seemed so full of potential, how could I not keep them?!

Well, lucky for you (and my diminishing storage space) I have a wonderfully simple DIY craft to recycle and put those glass jars to use!

DIY candle cozy recycle craft

candle cozy DIY recycle craft

The sweater will no longer be wearable after this project so make you use one you … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Kimberly

Winner! Pick Your Plum Giveaway

***UPDATE: Our winner is #27 Steph! Send us an email ASAP so your prize can get sent off to you! 

Thanks everyone who entered!

 

Mmmm. It’s nice and crisp outside, a teensy bit of chill to the air, coziness now mandatory. And with all that coziness I’m rather jonesing for some craftiness. I’d love a suprpise bundle of inspiration from Pick Your Plum to get me started. A mystery package of supplies and doo-dads for some swanky projects sent right to my door. But guess what? Pick Your Plum wants to give away some crafty love to one of our readers! A “Plum” (package) of creative inspiration and goodies worth $100. Every “Plum” is a surprise, each one is a little different from the next, but each promises to include all the fixins for a handful of great seasonal projects.

For example (not promising this is what’s coming to you, but you get the idea):

 And my favorite of the bunch is….well, who could choose? Go ahead and enter the giveaway and see what comes your way! Entries accepted until Midnight, Friday, October 19th. Mountain Time.  Please, please  remember to include a link to your contact info so we can contact … >> find out more…

Kimberly

...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.