The Chronicle Pages

The Idea Blog

Recipe videos, cooking tips, craft ideas, more theme dinners, and even ways to save on travel — gathered for families who love to gather.

Birthday Parties

Blast Off into Fun: A Space-Themed Birthday Party

Are you ready to launch into an out-of-this-world birthday celebration? A space-themed birthday party is a fantastic way to spark curiosity and imagination, making it a perfect choice for young aspiring astronauts.

October 24, 2024Read

Theme Dinners

Discovering Chinese Culture Through Dinner

Hosting a Chinese theme dinner can be a delightful way to explore culture. Families can learn about traditional dishes, customs, and dining etiquette. This experience can bring everyone together for a memorable evening.

October 23, 2024Read

Birthday Parties

Creating a Magical Fairy Themed Birthday Party

Looking for fun birthday party ideas for toddlers and other kids? Transport your guests into a whimsical world filled with magic and wonder — a fairy themed birthday party set in an enchanted forest.

October 21, 2024Read

Theme Dinners

Chinese Theme Dinner

Spring has sprung! Play with your food and take advantage of some fun things to do with your family as you plan a Chinese meal together — including a Zodiac calendar craft and Tangrams.

March 14, 2018Read

Recipes

Holiday Meatloaf

I love meatloaf. My kids? Not so much. So I decided to make it a little more fun with a creative holiday meatloaf wreath.

December 6, 2017Read

Holidays

Thanksgiving Theme Dinner!

Thanksgiving is a great holiday that involves yummy food, hordes of friends and family, and often a bit of stress. Skip the drama and set the kids in action to help.

October 26, 2017Read

Holidays

Halloween Fun: Not Too Spooky Theme Dinner

This crazed cat pretty much sums up how I feel around October 1st when my kids begin clamoring for fun Halloween ideas. If you're searching for fun Halloween party or dinner ideas, check out our tips.

October 4, 2017Read

Recipes

September Meal of the Month: Apple Breakfast-for-Dinner

The one meal everyone in my family seems to like is breakfast. It is also the meal that I rarely have adequate time to mess with. Mornings are crazy enough already.

September 19, 2017Read

Arts & Crafts

A Bad Mommy Moment Turned Good — Save Precious Art Without Becoming a Hoarding Freak

Part of surviving fall in our house is intertwined with surviving school with my three girls and all the stuff they bring home. It came to a head this weekend with a bit of a bad-Mommy moment.

September 12, 2017Read

Gluten Free

Think Outside the Gluten: Cauliflower and Carrot Pizza Crust

Since being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I have been on a quest for a pizza crust that actually tastes like something worth eating. Enter cauliflower and carrot.

August 30, 2017Read

Arts & Crafts

Share the Love: Inspirational Sticky Notes

If you're looking for a fun way to connect with and entertain your family or loved one, make some inspirational sticky notes and hide them throughout the house for each other to find.

August 29, 2017Read

Gluten Free

Roast Beef & Mozzarella Roll-Ups

Going gluten free isn't as hard as it seems but it also isn't always great fun. Roast Beef & Mozzarella Roll-Ups are a hit with my family thanks to their tastiness and versatility.

August 3, 2017Read

Recipes

Black Bean and Corn Vegetable Wrap

Just finished this delicious Black Bean and Corn Vegetable Wrap. I accidentally used lemon instead of lime — you can't tell in the video and it actually tastes great!

August 1, 2017Read

Recipes

Cream Cheese Apple Wrap

One of our go-to quick snacks, Cream Cheese Apple Wraps, have easy steps for all ages to jump in and help.

July 20, 2017Read

Theme Dinners

Summer Theme Dinner: Healthy Picnic Fun

Get the kids out of your hair and into the sun with a healthy finger food picnic. Bring a couple craft activities to relax and grab a Frisbee or a ball to work off your treats.

July 6, 2017Read

Travel

Six Quick Ways to Save on Travel

Last year, we took an epic road trip across America with our three girls. Here are sources to save money on activities when you travel.

June 12, 2017Read

Travel

7 Ways to Save Money on a Cruise

Patiently, I wait for the cruise companies to begin knocking down my door. Until then, we still cruise and love every moment. Here is a little bit of my reality to help you cruise too.

June 2, 2017Read

Travel

How to Keep Your Baby Safe in the Summer

Summer with a baby can be daunting, especially if it's your first rodeo with a little one by your side. Here are a few words of wisdom to keep your baby safe in the summer.

May 24, 2017Read

Theme Dinners

May Theme Dinner of the Month: Memorial Day Celebration

Love America to the moon and back with pizza and a parfait. Better yet, share your love with handmade cards to send to our troops.

May 24, 2017Read

Recipes

How to Make Designer Pancakes

We absolutely love to play with our food. Our latest obsession is making all kinds of designs in our pancakes. It's crazy easy and a super kid-friendly activity.

May 1, 2017Read

Theme Dinners

April: Spring Colors & Traditions

A colorful Chinese Stir-Fry and the Zodiac calendar are fun for kids! Spring rolls, stir-fry, and strawberries & cream.

April 5, 2017Read

Holidays

St Patrick's Day Theme Dinner

Grab a little luck of the Irish by eating fun, green food and planning (or planting) a spring garden!

March 3, 2017Read

Arts & Crafts

Grocery Store Scavenger Hunt

What can possibly be more fun than taking the kids grocery shopping with you? Since sometimes we simply have no choice, we may as well make it as fun as possible.

February 22, 2017Read

Theme Dinners

January: It's a New Year

Start off the New Year with a little humor. Can your kids guess the theme after they see the menu?

February 13, 2017Read

Travel

Library of Lessons: Free Stuff!

Local libraries often offer more than just books! Here are our favorite freebies we get from ours.

February 10, 2017Read

Holidays

Top 5 Valentine's Day Gift Baskets

How about creating a gift basket of their favorite things? Here are my top five gift basket ideas that you can make yourself.

February 8, 2017Read

Birthday Parties

Host a Party on a Budget

Wedding, anniversary, birthday or just looking for an excuse to gather your friends? Tis always the season for a party! Here are a few ideas to help you entertain for less.

February 3, 2017Read

Theme Dinners

February Theme Dinner

It's all about hearts and the color red during February with Valentine's Day and the national celebration of Healthy Heart Month. Have some fun with your family and plan a healthy themed dinner.

February 3, 2017Read

Travel

How to Save Money on College

I had an absolute ball my first year of college. The next year was a whole different story. Here are a few tips to get the most out of further education expenses.

November 15, 2016Read

Theme Dinners

Fairy Tale Theme Dinner

Give us a guess. What do you think are the top 10 fairy tales? Educate, entertain and spark your family's imagination with a theme dinner for National Fairy Tale Day!

December 14, 2016Read

Travel

Apple Art: Visit Local Apple Farms

It's that time of year where apples will soon literally begin to fall off the trees. Visiting is a fun family outing and the bounty is perfect for inexpensive crafts and thrifty recipes.

October 1, 2016Read

Recipes

Pool Snacks!

My childhood pool day memories are so vivid that I can almost taste the chlorine, hot fries and coconut tanning oil. Here are five of my favorite poolside snacks.

August 1, 2016Read

Travel

Get Free Movies!

Recently, I became strangely addicted to The Vampire Diaries. Anyway, I'm a big fan of movies as well. Here are some links for free trial offers and codes for free rentals.

February 2, 2016Read

About

A mother of three spunky girls, Andrea Everhart shares ways to save, creative family time, and fun trip ideas. Add your theme dinner ideas in the comments — or just rant and vent; we've been known to do that too.

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