new posts in all blogs
Viewing Blog: Elaine Ann Allen's Blog, Most Recent at Top
Results 1 - 25 of 71
Elaine Ann Allen's Blog
Statistics for Elaine Ann Allen's Blog
Number of Readers that added this blog to their MyJacketFlap: 1
Discussing strategies for social media
The author workshop for Creating a Social Media Plan at the Annapolis Regional Library was a big success! As a group we discussed how to develop your brand as a writer, the essentials of a great website, and strategies for social media. Special thanks to Sarah Maynard for coordinating this wonderful event!
Here are a few comments from some of the participants when asked if they found the workshop helpful:
“Yes! Great detail. I like that each social media site was talked about.”
“Very. Wonderful! Thank you!”
“Yes, I learned a lot today. Thank you so much! You are a wealth of knowledge.”
“Elaine has a pleasant, soft-spoken voice. I love her informative and entertaining books.”
“Extremely. I learned a lot of very useful info and techniques. I had already read 4 books on use of social media. But this was especially helpful…Must do another.”
I want to say thanks to all the participants of this workshop. I learned from them all, and we had such a great afternoon!
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on May, 22
Will you be in the Annapolis area on May 14th? Join me for a rapid-fire workshop on creating your Social Media Plan.
Date/Time
Date – 05/14/2016
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location
Annapolis Regional Library
1410 West St. – Annapolis, MD 21401
FREE !
A social media plan is a must in today’s marketplace. Learn the essentials of how to develop your brand, from creating a website to setting up your social media accounts. Don’t have a book published yet? Use your social media to network and increase your visibility. Bring your laptop and your imagination for a rapid-fire workshop!
This program is co-sponsored by AACPL and the MD/DE/WV Region of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
This is a free event open to the public. Please register, though, at SCBWI MD/DE/WV website so that we can plan appropriately.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on May, 14
Make a skipjack!
Make these fun skipjacks out of paper towel tubes and recycled paper.
According to the Maryland Sea Grant, skipjacks were made by oystermen over 100 years ago specifically to dredge for oysters. They were named after the skipjack fish because they are quick and agile in the water. There were once over a thousand skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay. Now there are only about 20 left. And, even less are still actively used to dredge for oysters.
The Maryland skipjack is featured in my children’s book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay. The link to the book trailer is below.
Supplies you will need:
1 Paper towel tube
2 Sheets of recycled paper
1 length of yarn or string, 26 inches long
Crayons or coloring pencils
Tape
Scissors
Template — Skipjack template
Directions:
The boat
Print out the template using the recycled paper if possible. On one sheet, there will be two long boat pieces, one for each side of the boat. Once they are cut out, fold each piece along the dotted line. Students can add their name to the line provided and color the boat pieces to personalize them. Then put the two sides together and tape the ends only. Place the paper towel tube in the middle of the pieces and tape in place. The boat with the towel tube in the middle should be able to stand upright.
The sails
Next, cut out the two triangles from the second page of template. Tape each triangle to the paper tube as seen in the picture. Finally, take the string or yarn and drape it from one end of the boat, across the top of the tube, and over to the other end of the boat. Tape in place.
I hope you enjoy making these fun skipjacks with your kids. For more information about skipjacks, go to these links below:
Maryland.gov
Maryland Sea Grant
Play the video below to find out more about my picture book Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on April, 15
Reading to students
I visited the School of the Incarnation in Gambrills, Maryland recently to help them celebrate Maryland Day! Students made their own oysters out of coffee filters, complete with pearls made out of craft poms. I read to students from my new book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay, which highlights some of the interesting sights along the Chesapeake Bay. We talked about the local Calvert Cliffs, the Cape Henry Lighthouses, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and several other great places along the bay where families can visit and explore.
I love visiting the School of the Incarnation. The teachers and staff are always warm and welcoming and the students are excited and engaged, always asking a ton of great questions. As an author of children’s books, I couldn’t ask for a better audience, and I’m so grateful to be able to share my stories with them. Special thanks to Amy Santini for making it a great day!
Here is the book trailer for Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on April, 08
Learning about Olly!
I had so much fun visiting the Calvert Marine Museum last week for their Little Minnows program! After listening to a reading of Olly the Oyster Cleans the Bay, students made stick puppets of the characters from the book and participated in a puppet show. Everyone had a part! Special thanks to Maureen Baughman, Kate Dumhart and Laura Cole for organizing this wonderful event.
The Little Minnows program at the Calvert Marine Museum is a morning program for pre-schoolers ages 3 – 5. This was a special session in which older siblings were invited to participate. Sessions meet in the Harms Gallery and focus on one of the museum’s three themes. The program usually includes a story and craft activity and is scheduled the fourth Thursday morning of each month. For more information about this great program, visit their website here.
The Calvert Marine Museum, located in Solomons, Maryland is a true Maryland treasure with aquarium exhibits, touch-tanks, a fossil exhibit, sea otter display, its own lighthouse, family programs and more!
Puppet show fun!
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on April, 05
My own Skipjack!
I recently visited students at Eastport Elementary School in Annapolis, Maryland for their “Reading Under the Stars“ night. Special thanks to Kristin Blundell for making it a great visit! I read from my book Olly’s Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay and the children made their own Skipjacks!
Skipjacks were originally built by oystermen over 100 years ago to dredge for oysters on the Chesapeake Bay. Some of these historical boats still sail today!
Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay is a great introduction to some of the natural and historical sights along the Chesapeake Bay. Written from an oyster’s-eye view, all of the sights can be seen from the water.
The Chesapeake Bay area is so rich in both natural and cultural history, and this book highlights just a handful of what our region has to offer. Sights explored in the book include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the Great Blue Heron, the Calvert Cliffs, the Cape Henry Lighthouses, the Choptank River Bridge and Pier, and a Maryland skipjack.
Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay is available for purchase through your local Independent bookstore, or through online stores, such as Amazon.com.
Here is the book trailer for a peek inside the book.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on March, 04
Busy making Great Blue Herons
I visited the preschoolers at St. Margaret’s Day School in Annapolis, Maryland on Monday and Wednesday. Special thanks to Tricia Hallberg McVeigh for coordinating! I read from my book Olly’s Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay and the children made their own Great Blue Heron stick puppets complete with real blue feathers!
Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay is a great introduction to some of the natural and historical sights along the Chesapeake Bay. Written from an oyster’s-eye view, all of the sights can be seen from the water.
The Chesapeake Bay area is so rich in both natural and cultural history, and this book highlights just a handful of what our region has to offer. Sights explored in the book include the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the Great Blue Heron, the Calvert Cliffs, the Cape Henry Lighthouses, the Choptank River Bridge and Pier, and a Maryland skipjack.
Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay is available for purchase through your local Independent bookstore, or through online stores, such as Amazon.com.
Here is the book trailer for a peek inside the book.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on February, 15
Kelli Nash and I with our new book.
We had a beautiful day for Patuxent River Appreciation Days this year at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland. It was so much fun spending the day with Kelli Nash (illustrator for the Olly the Oyster books and Mallory the Forgetful Duck) and the great folks at the Calvert Marine Museum. We had a great time meeting with families looking for books about local sea life, and catching up with fellow authors we see year to year, including John Into and Nancy Price, authors of Fundamentals of Model Boat Building and Richard LaMotte, author of Pure Sea Glass.
Thank you so much Maureen Baughman and Kim Zabiegalski of the Calvert Marine Museum Store for making us feel so welcome. If you want wonderful, friendly service at a store full of unique nautical jewelry, décor, toys and accessories, then this is the store for you. I go every year and bring home presents for my kids. This year my son loved the shark excavation kit the most. It came complete with a shark book, digging tools and goggles. The shark’s “fossilized” bones are now a centerpiece in my sunroom! The museum is great fun for the whole family with a touch tank filled with sea skates and rays, a fossil display with real fossils from the Calvert Cliffs, a real lighthouse, a live river otter display, and so much more!
Drum Point Lighthouse
Kelli and I with our books.
Fossil Exhibit
I especially love the Paleontology Exhibit where there are large replicas of animals from the Miocene era about 20 million years ago. The fossils in this exhibit are from the local Calvert Cliffs which are located along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, Maryland.
All in all, it was a great day! The Calvert Cliffs and other sights along the Chesapeake Bay are featured in my new book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay. Have a look at the book trailer below to find out more.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on October, 12
Baltimore Book Festival
I had so much fun at the Baltimore Book Festival this weekend with fellow authors Barbara Beck and Carol Saucier. It was doubly enjoyable sharing the experience with my daughter as I met Olly fans and people who love children’s books. A big thanks to the organizers of the Festival and to Kathy MacMillan of the SCBWI Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia chapter (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for their hard work in putting together this wonderful event for us and book lovers in and around the city!
If you missed the event and would like a signed copy of one of my books, I will be at the Patuxent River Appreciation Days in Solomons, Maryland on October 10 from 12:00 to 2:00. Get a free Olly the Oyster pencil, too! I hope to see you there!
Fun with my daughter!
A view of the harbor.
Carol Saucier and Barbara Beck
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on September, 30
Scents of summer
June has finally arrived and with it all of its summertime scents. There’s the delicious aroma coming from barbeques and cookouts, and the familiar smells of fresh cut grass, chlorine from pools, and most of all the familiar summertime scent of sunscreen.
My kids love the smell of sunscreen. The moment they smell it, they can’t stop talking about going to our local pool, to the beach or to the park for summer picnics and bike rides. So, I thought it would be fun this summer to find a way to put the scent of summer throughout the house by using their favorite sunscreen as an air freshener!
Last fall I made several homemade air fresheners using baking soda and essential oils. My favorite essential oils are lavender and peppermint because they provide such a clean and fresh fragrance to any room. But now for summer I’ve added sunscreen instead of the essential oils. Here’s how I did it:
Supplies:
6 Spice jars (I ordered these from Amazon.com)
Baking soda
Spray-on sunscreen (I used a Target brand)
Labels (I used Avery brand for my inkjet printer)
Yarn, string or ribbon to decorate (I used loose woven yarn in a sandy color)
Spoon
Paper plate
Instructions:
Put about a 1/2 cup of baking soda on a paper plate. Spray sunscreen directly on the baking soda and then stir it with a spoon. Fold the plate in half so that it forms a funnel for pouring the powder into the jars. Repeat for each jar. Then cover each jar with the lids that have holes. Save the lid covers that came with the jars and put them in a safe place for using another time. Add labels to each jar so family and guests know what is in them! Then decorate each jar with yarn, ribbon, or string. Place your new “beach” scented air fresheners on shelves and tables throughout your house!
“Beach” Scented Air Fresheners!
I hope you decide to try these fun homemade air fresheners for your house this summer:)
Elaine
Products I use:
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on June, 04
Thank you cards
May has been a busy month with the school year coming to a close, a beautiful Spring and fun things happening around my blog and my books. What more could a mom/blogger/author ask for! Here are a few of the highlights:
Thank you cards
The students at the School of the Incarnation in Gambrills sent me these wonderful thank you cards for my recent visit to their school where I helped them celebrate Maryland Day! I read to students from my new book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay, which highlights some of the interesting sights along the Chesapeake Bay. This was my fourth time visiting the School of the Incarnation. The teachers and staff are always warm and welcoming and the students are excited and engaged, always asking a ton of great questions. As an author of children’s books, I couldn’t ask for a better audience, and I’m so grateful to be able to share my stories with them. Special thanks to Betsy Werthmann and Natalie Shallow for making it a great day!
Blog Awards
I was recently honored to be nominated for two blog awards! Thank you JcCee Watkins Barney at Journey to a Healthy Me and Jane at Limeade Gal for nominating me! I just recently started increasing my blog activity and it has been so enjoyable. I joined a networking group on Facebook called The Creative Bloggers Network. This group has been so supportive and has helped me find my way through the sometimes intimidating world of social media. Thank you bloggers for helping me to find a place for myself in the blogosphere and for giving me the support I need!
Book available at Target
As a small time, regional author, it’s so exciting to see my books available through national and sometimes international venues. I remember when I saw my first book available on the stacks of our local Barnes & Noble, it was a dream come true for me.
Now I’ve discovered that my newest book is available at Target.com. Target is a family favorite in this household, so this news deserves a whoop whoop!
PBS review
My new book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay was recently reviewed by Angel Limb of PBS’s IdeaStations.org. “With the curious Olly the Oyster who is looking for adventure, children discover that following the current leads to many wonders big and small.” Check out the full review here !
Giveaway
Just in time for summer break, I’m giving away two copies of my new book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay! This is a great summertime book for kids. Olly is a little oyster who tours the Chesapeake Bay like a sightseer with an oyster’s eye view, making new discoveries and new sea animal friends. The contest is posted on Goodreads. I hope you decide to enter and find out more about the wonderful sights we have here along the Bay:) It ends on July 4th, so don’t wait too long!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bayby
Elaine Ann AllenGiveaway ends July 04, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to Win
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on May, 31
Just in time for summer break! I’m giving away two copies of my new book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay, a great summertime book for kids.
This is the third book in the Olly the Oyster series. In this story Olly tours the bay like a sightseer, making new discoveries and new friends.
The contest is posted on Goodreads. I hope you decide to enter and find out more about the wonderful sights we have here along the Chesapeake Bay:) It ends on July 4th, so don’t wait too long!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bayby
Elaine Ann AllenGiveaway ends July 04, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to Win
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on May, 21
I was recently honored to be nominated for two blogger awards. Yay!
Both of these awards were formed by Bloggers, for Bloggers. To receive them, you must be a blogger who is nominated by another blogger. The purpose of these awards is to highlight other bloggers and give them a chance to shine and to create a presence in the blogging world.
The first award is the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! from JcCee Watkins Barney at Journey to a Healthy Me. Thank you JcCee! I’ve had my blog for a few years now but in the last few months it has grown thanks to a wonderful networking group I joined called The Creative Bloggers Network. This group has been so supportive and has helped me find my way through the sometimes intimidating world of social media. Thank you bloggers for helping me to find a place for myself in the blogosphere and for giving me the support I need!
Here are the requirements to accept this award:
Acknowledge and thank the blog who nominated you
Display the banner or logo of the award on your blog
Spread love through nominating between 4 or 5 others
Tell a little bit about yourself when you accept the award
Thanks again JcCee! In accepting this award, I’d like to say a little bit about me. I blog about fun crafts, family activities, writing tips and news about my adventures as a children’s book author. I had my first children’s book published in 2008, but I started way back in ’93 after I finished college. Suddenly the creative bug bit me and I started writing every day. Over the years I had several short stories, articles and crafts published in various magazines. Then, finally my dreams of book publication came true when the editor at Cornell Maritime Press accepted my manuscript about a little oyster cleaning the Chesapeake Bay. I have been over the moon ever since with three more books published and plans for more on the way. It has been exciting learning every aspect of the book industry, from editing to marketing to school visits. And throughout my family has been there supporting me.
This blog has been a great creative outlet for me to not only talk about all the fun things going on in my life, but to connect with other bloggers with different interests and creative talents and amazing support.
So without further ado, I’d like to nominate five amazing bloggers for this award:
Jillian at Jillianastasia
Ashleigh at Simply Wright
Brandi at Super Girl Savings
Gunjan at Kiipfit
Tirralan at Tinseltown Mom
Congratulations ladies. I hope you decide to accept this award!
The second award is similar in name but has a few different requirements, the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award from Jane at Limeade Gal. Thank you so much Jane!
Here are the requirements to accept this award:
Thank the blogger who nominated you (link back to their site)
Answer the 10 questions sent to you
Make up 10 new questions for your nominees to answer
Nominate 8 fellow bloggers, link them in your post and let them know
So, without further ado, here are my answers to the questions presented to me by Jane at Limeade Gal!
1. Why & when did you start blogging?
I started blogging several years ago because I had just celebrated my first children’s book being published and I wanted to have a place to announce my news and events. My very first blog entry, however, was all about my family vacation! I found myself wanting to talk about family projects and my latest craft activities instead of author news. So, after going through several blog formats, I found a design that works for me where I can showcase several categories and include my latest crafts, family activities as well as author news and writing tips. Now that I have things formatted the way I want, and I have a great networking group (The Creative Bloggers Network), I’m finding it hard to keep up! Which is a good thing. I’m loving it!
2. Who inspires you to write/blog, and why?
I’m definitely inspired by my kids. Everything I do is about my family and my kids. They are my world.
3. Name five fun facts about you!
I love old movies.
My cat, Frisky, sits on my lap whenever I’m writing (including now:)
I love crab-cakes (a true Marylander:)
Chocolate covered peanuts are my downfall.
If I could live at the beach all year round, I would!
4. What is one food you cannot live without?
This might sound strange but, lemons. Lemon water is so calming and refreshing. I drink it every day.
5. If you had to jump out of a plane, in order to win a million dollars, would you do it?
No, I’m too much of a safety person, and I know that money doesn’t bring happiness.
6. Describe yourself, in five words!
Pragmatic, Sentimental, Thoughtful, Nurturing, Creative
7. You have to give up one of these items listed, which will it be! Chocolate, Coffee, or Cheese?
I have had to give up all three of these at various times for health issues. But, surprisingly, cheese is the hardest to give up. I can drink tea instead of coffee and vanilla instead of chocolate, but what can replace cheese?
8. Dream vacation… Ready, Set, Go!
My dream vacation is where I go every year, the Outer Banks in North Carolina. I went there as a kid, and being there makes me feel relaxed and happy.
9. What hobbies, activities do you enjoy? (Besides Blogging!)
I love crafts, gardening, watching old movies and riding my bike.
10. If you could take a peek into the future, would you go? To what year and why? If you dare not, why?
I would take a peek to see the innovations in technology and to see how things change. I think part of why I love old movies is because I love to see how things have changed over the years.
Now I’d like to nominate 8 fabulous bloggers for this award! The nominees are:
Jackie at DIY Design Mom
April at The Uncookie Cutter
Janice at Janice Knauss Art
Kelly at The OK Momma
Holly at The Coconut Head’s Survival Guide
Allison at Fun Family Vacations
Lyndee at A Thousand Country Roads
Yanique at Kiddie Matters
And, here are my questions for the new nominees:
What do you love most about blogging?
What do you enjoy writing about the most?
What is your favorite social media platform and why?
What is your favorite Pinterest category?
Do you have any tips to share for managing your time?
What do you do to stay healthy?
What are your hobbies when you are not blogging?
Do you have a favorite pet?
What is your favorite childhood memory?
What is your favorite dessert?
Congratulations to the new nominees, and thanks again to JcCee and Jane for these awards. I’m so glad to have met you both through the Creative Bloggers Network!
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on May, 20
Yellow blooms
Make these nature inspired photo frames from recycled materials.
My favorite season is the Spring. I love all the new life and new blooms on the trees, and every year I take lots of pictures of the kids in front of the new brightly colored trees that were so cold and bare just a few weeks ago. This year I decided to let the kids have a chance to be the photographers and take lots of pictures of their own. So, each with a camera in hand, they went out into the neighborhood to take pictures of nature.
When they got back, I thought it would be fun to display the photos in a fun way that wouldn’t require buying new frames. So, we came up with these nature inspired recycled frames made from plastic lids from Pringles cans (my kids love Pringles) and sisal rope for decorative trim. They are affixed to the wall with Command poster strips.
Supplies you will need:
Camera
5 Plastic lids (we used lids from Pringles cans)
Sisal rope
Photo paper (or regular printing paper)
Marker or pencil
Scissors
Glue
Wall mounting strips (I used Command poster strips)
Instructions:
Print your photos using photo paper, or regular printing paper if that’s what you have on hand. If you use paper that has been recycled, even better. I happened to have photo paper on hand and to be honest, I love how shiny and glossy it looks for this project.
For each photo, turn the photo over and center the plastic lid on the back. Use a pencil or marker to trace around the lid and then cut out the circle. You will have to cut a little bit inside the line of the circle so that it will fit properly inside the lid. Use glue to affix the photos to the inside of each lid.
Then take the sisal rope and tuck it along the interior edge of the lid, cutting the rope so that it just meets the other end. Take the rope out and add glue along the inner edge before tucking the rope back in place. Attach poster mounting strips to the back of each new photo frame and line them up on the wall for a beautiful addition to your Spring décor.
This project is great for Earth Day or any day where kids can go outside and appreciate nature and its beauty! I hope you enjoy this fun project with your kids:)
Products I use:
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on April, 23
Cape Henry Lighthouses
Make these fun lighthouses out of bottle caps and paper towel tubes.
These lighthouses are modeled after the Cape Henry Lighthouses in Virginia which are featured in my children’s book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay. The link to the book trailer is below.
According to US-Lighthouses.com there are about 680 lighthouses in the United States. The original Cape Henry lighthouse is made out of bricks. A new lighthouse was built in 1882 when the older one developed cracks and became unsafe. The old lighthouse has historical significance because it was the first lighthouse built by our new government after the Revolutionary war (1792). The new lighthouse is the tallest cast-iron lighthouse in the U.S. It still shines at night guiding ships into the Chesapeake Bay.–These are just a few interesting tidbits for lighthouse trivia buffs:)
Supplies you will need:
2 Paper towel tubes
2 Bottle caps 1 1/2″– (I used black and white, but any color will do)
4 Plastic lids 3″ (these were from Pringles cans)
Construction paper–black, white, red, yellow
Pencil or grey marker
Tape
Glue
Directions:
Brick lighthouse
Wrap the red paper around the tube and tape it down. Using a pencil or a grey marker, draw horizontal lines about an inch apart all the way down the tube, then go back and draw the vertical lines to form the bricks. Alternatively, you can draw the lines before you wrap the paper around the tube. Then using the red paper again, trace around each plastic lid and cut out the circle. Glue the circle to the inside of each lid. Next, use the yellow paper to cut out a piece about 5 inches by 1 inch. Wrap it in a circle and fit one end into the bottle cap. Then tape the ends together once you see what size the circle needs to be. Finally, assemble your pieces together to form the lighthouse and glue in place.
Cast-iron lighthouse
Use the white paper as the base for the new lighthouse. You will need 3 stripes for the top and 3 stripes for the bottom–each stripe should be 1 inch wide by 5 1/2 inches long. Glue the stripes in an alternating pattern. The top half of the lighthouse has the opposite pattern to the bottom half. Then using the black paper again, trace around each plastic lid and cut out the circles. Glue the circles to the inside of each lid. Next, use the yellow paper to cut out a piece about 5 inches by 1 inch. Wrap it in a circle and fit one end into the bottle cap. Then tape the ends together once you see what size the circle needs to be. Finally, assemble your pieces together to form the lighthouse and glue in place.
I hope you enjoy making these fun lighthouses with your kids!
Here is the book trailer for Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on April, 16
Healthy and delicious smoothies.
When my kids get home from school, they are hungry and thirsty. I would like them to eat healthy, nutritious snacks, but apple slices and carrot sticks are a hard sell when they’re craving tasty comfort foods. I have found, however, that my kids never say no to a fruit smoothie.
I like to vary the ingredients each day, but the basic recipe is below. To save a few dollars, I buy frozen fruit in big bulky bags from the freezer department at the grocery store. Some bags have all of the same fruit, like all peaches or all strawberries. Others have mixes of different berries or pineapple with mangoes. I like to have at least two different kinds of fruit in the freezer so that I can vary the flavors each day. I also like to change up the juice I use, and even the type of milk I use. Vanilla almond milk, for instance, has a great flavor and gives the smoothie a nice texture.
Whatever combination I use, these smoothies always taste great. A fancy glass and a colorful straw make them taste even better!
Ingredients:
2 Cups frozen fruit (I used mixed berries for the one in the photo)
1 Cup milk (any kind)
1 Cup cranberry juice (or any juice on hand)
1 Yogurt tube
1 Banana
2 Teaspoons sugar (optional)
Add all of the above ingredients to a blender. Hit the pulse button about 6 times to break everything down and then blend for 60 seconds. Serves 3
I hope your children enjoy these fun and tasty smoothies when they come home from school!
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on April, 01
Reading my new book, Olly Explores…
Great news this week–I visited the School of the Incarnation in Gambrills, Maryland to help them celebrate Maryland Day! I read to students from my new book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay, which highlights some of the interesting sights along the Chesapeake Bay. We talked about the local Calvert Cliffs, the Cape Henry Lighthouses, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and several other great places along the bay where families can visit and explore.
This was my fourth time visiting the School of the Incarnation. The teachers and staff are always warm and welcoming and the students are excited and engaged, always asking a ton of great questions. As an author of children’s books, I couldn’t ask for a better audience, and I’m so grateful to be able to share my stories with them. Special thanks to Betsy Werthmann and Natalie Shallow for making it a great day!
Here is the book trailer for Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on March, 29
This bird is enjoying his snack.
These bird feeders make it easy to watch birds in the backyard. I helped my daughter make these for a science project at school. We made them out of recycled materials, including a paper towel roll, a shoebox lid, and a milk carton.
You can make one, or all three of these feeders for your yard and enjoy watching the birds as they return for spring. Beware of squirrels, though. They seem to like the bird feed as much as the birds do, sometimes knocking down the feeders trying to get at the food! But the fun of watching the birds close up is definitely worth the effort of putting the feeders back in place and refilling them.
Shoebox lid feeder:
Supplies:
Lid from a shoebox
Sisal rope
Hot glue gun
Instructions:
Take the lid of a shoebox and cut in half. Then slide the pieces together so that the lid is shaped more like a square than a rectangle. Glue the pieces together. Then cut the rope into 4 separate pieces, about a foot in length. Glue each end to the inside corners of the lid. Then tie the other pieces together at the top. Use another length of rope to tie to a tree branch.
Paper towel roll feeder:
Supplies:
1 Paper towel roll
2 plastic lids
Sisal rope
Hot glue gun
Wooden skewer, or popsicle stick
Instructions:
Cut a round hole, about 2 inches in diameter into one side of the towel roll. Then break off the end of a wooden skewer or popsicle stick, insert it into the hole so that it will serve as a perch for the birds to sit on, and glue in place. Then glue a plastic lid at the top and bottom of the feeder as shown in the picture. Next, cut a six inch length of rope, form it into a loop, and glue to the top of the feeder. Finally, use another length of rope (as long as needed) to hang the feeder to a tree branch.
Milk carton bird feeder:
Supplies:
Half gallon milk carton
Wooden skewer, or popsicle stick
Wire hanger for a hook
Scissors
Instructions:
Cut a square window into both sides of the milk carton. Place wooden skewer, or popsicle stick, inside so that is sits across the window openings, forming a perch for the birds to sit on. Then use scissors to poke a hole into the top of the carton. Stretch out a wire hanger, using one end to hold the carton and the other to hang on a tree limb.
Fill each of your new bird feeders with bird seed. You can find birdseed at pet stores, supermarkets and department stores that have a pet department. You can pick different kinds of seed mixes to attract different birds.
I hope you enjoy watching nature at its best with your new bird feeders!
Products I use:
I use this sisal rope for craft projects. I love the natural look it gives to any project I’m working on.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on March, 27
Maryland crabs
In addition to its oysters, Maryland is known for its blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay. Help celebrate Maryland Day (March 25th) by making these fun crabs out of paper plates and pipe cleaners.
The blue crab is Maryland’s state crustacean, and its largest commercial fishery. Its scientific name is Callinectes sapidus, which means savory beautiful swimmer.
The second crab in the picture shown displays Maryland’s state flag–a fun way to show state pride.
Supplies you will need:
Wiggle eyes, any size
Blue paper plates, 2 dessert size
Blue, black, yellow and white pipe cleaners
Print-out of Maryland flag
Glue
Scissors
Hole punch
Instructions:
Punch four holes on each side of a blue paper plate. Then cut pipe cleaners into five inch lengths–they don’t have to be perfect in size. Wrap the ends of the pipe cleaners into the holes around the plate and curve them upward.
Trace around the plate
For the pincers at the front, you can take an additional one-inch piece of pipe cleaner and wrap it around the end of each arm. Then add wiggle eyes.
For the crab with the Maryland flag, print an image from the internet, or make a copy from a magazine. Place a plate on the image and trace around the plate. Then cut out the circle. Turn over the plate and then with the circle image of the flag on top, punch holes around the plate. You don’t need to glue the paper to the plate as the pipe cleaners will hold it in place once they are wrapped through each hole.
I hope you enjoy making these fun crabs with your kids on Maryland Day!
Products I used:
I love pipe cleaners. They work for so many craft ideas.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on March, 25
Holding my books.
My new children’s book, Olly Explores 7 Wonders of the Chesapeake Bay is now available in stores and online! This is the third book in the Olly the Oyster series, with illustrations by Kelli Nash of Baltimore, Maryland. This latest edition follows my favorite little oyster, Olly, as he embarks on an adventure to see the sights along the Chesapeake Bay. Here is a brief description:
Olly the Oyster is ready for an adventure. So when Mr. Oyster tells him about the wonders of the Chesapeake Bay, he sets off to see them. Following along with Olly, kids will learn about some wonders that fly, like the Great Blue Heron, a symbol of the Bay; some that shine at night, like the Cape Henry Lighthouse; and even a wonder where you can find fossils of crocodile teeth—the Calvert Cliffs.
As Olly meets and chats with new friends like fiddler crabs, barnacles, and rockfish, he learns about the creatures, people, and places that form the community of the Chesapeake. Olly the Oyster helps the importance of the Bay and its ecosystem come to life.
With Ken Kennedy of Edgewater Books
Because this book has a regional theme, it may not be on the stacks of everyone’s local bookstore. However, it can be ordered from any store– both small, independent bookstores and the larger stores like Barnes and Noble. In the photo to the right I’m standing with the owner of Edgewater Books, our local children’s bookstore in Edgewater, Maryland.
Here are a few links to online stores:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
Here is a book trailer for the new book:
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on March, 21
Baby birds cuddle together
Make these adorable birds and their nests using craft Poms, plastic Easter eggs and brown paper bags.
Spring is the time of year when birds are returning to their northern stomping grounds, building their nests, and settling down to lay their eggs. In honor of bird migration and new beginnings offered by springtime, I’m posting this fun craft that entails making a bird’s nest out of a brown paper bag, which then becomes the home of a new baby bird that kids will make out of craft Poms and plastic Easter eggs.
I make this craft with students when I visit schools to read my children’s book, Mallory the Forgetful Duck. The picture to the right shows a baby Mallard, but I bring all colors of Poms and eggs so that every child’s baby bird has its own “personality”.
Baby Mallard
The kids get a kick out of making their own “pets”. They give their new baby birds a name and then they assure me that they won’t forget about their baby birds, like Mallory does in the story. Actually, Mallory only loses her nest in the story (not the baby birds) and turns out to be a very good mommy bird (Spoiler Alert:)
Supplies you will need:
1 Brown paper bag
1 Craft Pom, any color, size 1 ½ inch
1 Plastic Easter egg, any color
2 Wiggle eyes, any color
Glue
Scissors
Directions:
Cut the brown paper bag in half. Set aside the top portion to use later. Roll down the sides of the bottom portion so that the egg will nestle in the bottom of the bag with the sides folded down around it.
Glue wiggle eyes to the Pom. Then grab the top portion of the brown bag and cut small triangles for the bird’s wings and beak. Glue them carefully to the Pom in the appropriate places. Then place the finished Pom (baby bird) inside the plastic Easter egg, and put the egg on its new nest. You can glue the egg to the nest if desired. But, I have found that kids like to pick it up and nestle the egg in their hands.
I hope your children enjoy this baby bird craft and delight in the spirit of new life and new beginnings that it brings.
See our baby birds!
Products I use:
I keep craft Pom-Poms on hand so I’m prepared for fun crafts all year round. They are colorful and can be used in so many ways. My cat also loves them. We give them to her as Christmas presents!
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on March, 14
Reading to students
I visited the preschoolers at St. Margaret’s Day School in Annapolis, Maryland on Wednesday and Friday. Special thanks to Tricia Hallberg McVeigh for coordinating! I read from my book “Olly’s Treasure” and the children made their own oysters out of coffee filters, complete with pearls made out of craft poms. We also discussed the importance of the oyster reefs, true treasures of the Chesapeake Bay.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on February, 09
Angelfish Ornament
I love homemade ornaments. We gave our Christmas tree a nautical theme this year with these colorful Angelfish. Made of polymer clay, they’re easy to make and they look great on our tree. You can use any color of clay to make these. Here is how we did it!
Supplies:
Polymer clay, 2 colors of your choice
Copper craft wire
Pencil with a dull point
Needle nose pliers
Scissors
Wax paper
Before you begin:
This one has three colors!
Use a sheet of wax paper to protect your surface
Make the fish:
Roll a section of clay into a thick log about 1 ½” long and 1/2″ thick. Do the same with your second color choice of clay so that you have two logs of clay. Placing the logs together, stretch them to twice their length. Then twist the double log in the center and roll back on itself. Repeat the process two more times. Then roll into a ball – should be about the size of a golf ball.
With your palm, press the center of the ball into a flat disk about ¼” thick. Smooth disk with your fingers. Gently tug at sides into a triangular shape. With your pencil point, make an indentation to form the mouth.
To make the eye, use a tiny ball of one color of clay. Then press a smaller ball of the other color of clay on top, or use black clay for the eye.
Orange and blue are a nice combo.
For the tail fin, use your two colors again to pull a small section of each, and press together to form a ball about the size of a grape. With your thumb, flatten the ball into a disk and tug at the sides to elongate and shape the tail. Gently press the tail onto the body (the underside) of the fish, careful not to smash the clay. Do the same for the other two fins, placing them at the bottom of the fish and just below the eye, as seen in the photos. Next, use your pencil to etch long, straight lines onto the fins.
Use your needle nose pliers to twist the copper wire into a loop. Cut the loop from the rest of the wire and gently press it into the top side of the fish.
Bake following the instructions on the clay packaging. After the fish have cooled, hang them with a pretty ribbon on the tree. As an option, you can use the pencil to etch the year into the back before you bake. Or, you can add the name of the person who made the fish.
I hope you enjoy these fun and beautiful Angelfish for your tree. Happy Holidays!
Products I use:
My favorite polymer clay is the Sculpey brand. It’s soft and easy to mold with my hands. Here is the link for Sculpey at Amazon.com.
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on December, 29
This little guy sits proudly on his plate.
My family is super excited for Thanksgiving, as we are every year. It is one of my favorite holidays because it involves family, lots of delicious food, and giving thanks. So, in honor of the big day coming up, my kids and I are making these adorable little turkeys that will adorn our plates on Thanksgiving day. The orange placemats in this photo are actually crocheted, made by my grandmother. It’s so much fun to use things that are handmade by the people you love.
For this craft I’m once again using basic craft materials that I already have around the house. Here is a list of what you’ll need to make these turkeys.
Supplies:
2 Brown (unbleached) Coffee filters
Blue tinsel Pom-Pom, size 1.3 inch
Materials needed
2 White Pom-Poms, size .5 inch
2 Small wiggle eyes
Sisal rope, about 12 inches in length
Glue gun
Craft glue
Scissors
Instructions:
First, use craft glue to glue the wiggle eyes onto one small, white Pom-Pom and set aside. Then fold a brown coffee filter in half. Glue the blue Pom-Pom to the coffee filter. You may have to hold it for a minute or so until it is tacky enough to stick. Then glue a small, white Pom-Pom on top and hold it. Then add the white Pom-Pom with the wiggle eyes and hold it again.
Use unbleached coffee filters
Next, use the scissors to cut a tiny beak and wattle from the second coffee filter. Glue them to the Pom-Pom with the wiggle eyes. Since they are lighter, the wet glue will hold them in place.
Use craft glue for beak
Then, wind the sisal rope into a tight coil. This is where the glue gun comes in handy. You may want to do this part ahead of time so the kids aren’t tempted to help with the hot glue.
Glue will be hot
Hold the rope in a tight coil until it cools and dries, which doesn’t take long. After the glue dries, you can use the glue gun (or the craft glue if the kids are helping again) to glue the turkey to the sisal pedestal.
Glue the turkey to the sisal pedestal.
Now your turkey is complete! Make one for each plate as a decoration, or you can add a name card to use as a place holder. I particularly love the beachy feel of these turkeys with their blue and natural brown tones, but you can use any color that fits with your décor.
I hope you enjoy your holiday turkeys and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Products I use:
I keep craft Pom-Poms on hand so I’m prepared for fun crafts all year round. They are colorful and can be used in so many ways. My cat also loves them. We give them to her as Christmas presents!
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on November, 18
Writing tips…
Conflict
You may not realize it, but every story has conflict. Every story. Just like the “story concept” and the “MDQ”, if there is no conflict, there is no story. Even the most innocent, feel good, lovey dovey, soft-hearted children’s book story has conflict.
With a chapter book, there is conflict in each chapter. With a picture book, ideally, there is conflict on every page! You won’t get that feel good emotional response at the end of a story if there is no conflict for the characters to overcome. I have read so many stories from aspiring writers that are beautifully written, well thought out and nicely formatted. I can see where the authors are going with their stories, but they, in many cases, are not complete. A story without conflict is like a run-on sentence. It doesn’t have the proper punctuation.
What would happen if the mouse in If You Give a Mouse a Cookie already had a nice, big, cool glass of milk to go with his cookie? What would happen if Pete the Cat in I Love my White Shoes never got his shoes dirty? What would happen in Goodnight Moon if the little bunny tucked up in bed could go to sleep without naming every object in the room? That’s right…we would never have these beautiful, classical stories to read to our children.
So, my writing tip for you is to go through the children’s books in your collection and find the story conflicts. Then go back to your own manuscripts and be sure they have conflict, and lots of it. Because, believe it or not, the conflict in your story is what makes it powerful, impactful and timeless.
Check back again for more writing tips.
Happy writing,
Elaine
Books mentioned in this Writing Tip:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (If You Give…)
by Laura Joffe Nemeroff
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown
posted by Elaine Ann Allen
on November, 07
View Next 25 Posts
