How To Make Your Own Cookbook with Blurb

 

How to Make a Blurb Cookbook
(This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated if you purchase through these links)
Ever thought of putting your favorite recipes into a beautiful book you can give as a gift or pass down the generations?Blurb is a company that lets anyone create beautiful books from their favorite content, and get those books shipped in any quantity (even just one copy). Not a designer? That’s ok, Blurb’s free BookSmart software is an easy route to a great cookbook. 

What's the best way to get started? Holding off a bit. It’s tempting to want to dive right in, but thinking a bit and getting organized is worth it in the end. Make the most of your time by dividing each step into chunks so you can tackle them at different points in your book-making process. 

And here we go:



1. Organize: Gather your recipes and do a process of elimination. Once you’ve narrowed your favorites down, you can gather accompanying images—just make sure you’re giving the recipe and image files the same name to make it easier when it’s time to upload. Keep everything in one folder on your computer.

2. Flow it: Next, determine how you want your cookbook story to flow. Do you want to sort your recipes by age, popularity, or even something else? Once you’ve determined the order, you’ll have done the bulk of your creative decision-making.

3. Get the tool: Download our free book-making tool, BookSmart, choose your book size (Standard Portrait and Standard Landscape are the most popular for cookbooks) and input your title and author name. Then choose “Cookbook” as your starting point — this will give you the best layouts for the job. Then pick a source for your images — from iPhoto, your computer, even Flickr or Picasa. Lastly, choose a theme. Now you’re ready to put together your cookbook. 

 

4. Lay it out: This is where the real book-making comes in. BookSmart will provide you with 20 pages in our standard recipe layout, but you’ll find plenty of alternate layouts in the “Choose page layout” panel on the upper left. You can also add additional pages ­­— including photo pages — by clicking “Add Pages” in the top toolbar.

5. Just add copy: Our layouts provide space for stories, introductions, and those all-important ingredients and directions. Paste in your copy and you’re golden. Then garnish with photos. Don't forget to run BookSmart’s spell check feature. 

 

6. Preview and review: Click “Review book” and go through page by page. If you’re not a natural-born proofreader, ask a friend to take a second look.

7. Order: Make any last minute edits, click “Order,” and follow the prompts to checkout. Remember to order extra copies for friends and family—or sell it in our Bookstore. Order now and save 15% on all print book orders through April 30th with code TAKE15%. 

That’s it, you’re done. Give yourself a toast, a pat on the back, and a moment in the sun. Congratulations! 

Now, I think I am going to make a cookbook.  I have been thinking about putting all of my recipes together for a long time, and I think the time has finally come.

This is a great offer.  I hope you'll at least take a look.

Have a great week.

Debi

Karen's Easy Tortilla Soup

Soups are such a great one pot.  They are fairly easy to make, they are filling, and they are always great on a cold day.  This is a great simple recipe that came from my friend Karen.  I call it Karen's Easy Tortilla Soup.  This recipe has evolved a little over the years, and it is one that my family loves.  My hope is that you will also.

Karen's Easy Tortilla Soup 

Ingredients:

2 14 oz cans Lime Cilantro Diced Tomatoes

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes

1 14 oz can corn drained

1 28 oz can hominy drained

1 14 oz can black beans drained

1 cup mild salsa

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp garlic powder

1 32 oz box chicken broth ( I use low sodium fat free)

1 rotisserie chicken ( meat taken off the bones and cut into bite sized pieces, or you can put 6 chicken breasts in a dutch oven and season them with seasoned salt and garlic powder. Add enough water to cover and bake at 350 for 2 hour.  Cut breasts into bite sized pieces.)  You can use the liquid in your both.

Tortilla Chips

grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

Put all ingredients into a large dutch oven and cook for 2 hours. 

Serve with tortilla chips and grated cheddar cheese

Serves 6 

This is a delicious and easy recipe.  I hope that you like it as much as we do.  Let me know what you think.  I always love hearing from you.

Enjoy!!!

Debi

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Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 82

We want to thank everyone who shared with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 81.  We love seeing all of your posts.

We are looking for co-hosts for the months of April and May.  We would love to have you join us.  Send me a message and we will figure out dates.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome to Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 82.

Now we present you with the featured bloggers from Link Party 81, and grab your featured button from our sidebar.

Featured Bloggers from Link Party 81

1.  Fabby: Kitchen Spring Vignette from Fabby's Living

2.  March Sew Crazy Madness from Oksana + Hobbies

3.  Choose to be Content from The Life of Faith








4. DIY Lightbox from Krafty Cards Etc

5.  Bacon Cheddar Beer Bread from Melissa's Cuisine









6.  Thin Mint Ice Cream Sa
Thin Mind Ice Cream Sandwiches from Sweet Pennies From Heaven

7.  Make It Yourself Binkie Clips from A Mothers Shadow











8.  DIY Dress Up Station from Three Little Greenwoods

We are happy to have you at this week's party.  We always love hearing from you, so leave your comments.

Have a great week.

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How to Make Beachy Coconut Room Freshener

I love making my own chemical free household products, and this Beachy Coconut Room Freshener fits the bill.  I love the smell of the beach and for some reason the smell of coconut always reminds me of the beach.  I was remembering the smell of a Tanning Oil that I made, and wanted something that smelled like that for my home.  I thought that I had posted that recipe, and found that I hadn't.  I made it before I was blogging, so I am going to have to make it again and share it with all of you.  This scented room spray is another super easy product to make.

Beachy Coconut Room Freshener

Supplies:

3/4 of a 1/8 oz bottle Kuumba Made Black Coconut Fragrance oil
3 oz distilled water
2 oz White Vinegar
Spray bottle

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake and go for it.

It's ready to use. The oil will separate in between uses, but just shake the bottle before you spray each time.



I love the smell of this stuff, and to me it smells like the beach.  I always love hearing from you, so let me know what your favorite room freshener scent is.

Have a great week.
Debi
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Ephesians 4:17 - 4:32 Bible Study

Today we have Ephesians 4:17 - 4:32 for our Bible Study.  Last week we talked about Ephesians 4:1 - 4:16 and unity.  Today will will be talking about how God wants us to behave once we receive the Holy Spirit.

Eph 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 

Eph 4:18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 

Eph 4:19  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

Eph 4:20  But ye have not so learned Christ; 

Eph 4:21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

This passage gives a list of appropriate and inappropriate conduct that Jesus expects of us with once we have received the Spirit "renewed in the spirit of your mind" Eph 4:23.  That we become new "which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph 4:24 

Eph 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 

Eph 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 

Eph 4:27  Neither give place to the devil. 

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

The letter to the Ephesians discloses God's blessing of grace and dimensions spiritual authority over evil once the believer has accepted the disciplines of purity in Eph. 4:17-4:31 and forgiveness in Eph 4:32.  In Eph. 4:25 - 4:31  God is telling us to put away the old us and put on the new us.  

1.  So to put off lying and only tell the truth Eph. 4:25.
2.  If you get angry, don't sin, put your anger away Eph. 4:26
3.  Don't blame the devil for your sin, take responsibility Eph. 4:27
4.  Don't steal, but work for your money Eph 4:28
5.  Don't say bad things, but only things that edify, that bring grace to those you are speaking to Eph 4:29
6.  That once we are sealed by accepting the Spirit, the Spirit will let us know if we have done something wrong.  I call it a check on my spirit, I just know. Eph 4:30
7.   Set aside all bitterness, anger, wrath, speaking badly, and malice.  You now have the Spirit, and these are things that need to be set aside Eph 4:31

These are all specific things that we are supposed to do after we receive the Spirit.

Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Jesus taught us to forgive, even has God forgiven us.   Jesus died for our Grace, so that we are forgiven by God.  We are expected to do the same.

Thank you so much for joining me for today's Bible Study.  I'm sorry that it is up late, but I am very happy to have you here.  I always love hearing from you and would love to hear your thoughts on these verses.

Have a blessed week.
Debi
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How to Save Big with Blurb:Blurb can make your Instagram/Facebook photos into beautiful tangible memories in a few short minutes. Or you can write that children's book you've been dying to get started on for years...and even sell it on Blurb's website! If that doesn't appeal to you, you can make an inspired recipe book. You starting to catch my drift? The possibilities are endless and there are a few great deals you can cash in on right now. Use the links below to get started:

Save 25% on print book orders of $75+ at Blurb (Good through , only 1 more week! 3/26/14)

Save 15% on all print book orders. (Good until 4/30/14)

These are such great offers.  I love Blurb and I think it's great to be able to put all of your ideas into a book.  I think that I may try my hand at a cookbook, or maybe natural beauty products.  So many things to choose from.

Have a great week creating you book.

Debi

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10 Drinks for Friday's Happy Hour from Pinterest

Today, I am featuring 10 Drinks for Friday's Happy Hour from Pinterest.  I pin so many pictures all of the time, I thought it would be nice to honor some of the great pictures and recipes that I find on Pinterest.  All of you are so amazing, so this week is for all of you.  These drinks are both with and without alcohol.

1. Blood Orange Blackberry Sangria from Appetizers Today on Tumbler

2.  Fresh Peach Soda from Recipes From The Kitchn

3.  How To Make An Italian Cream Soda from Ella Claire

4.  Cherry Cream Soda from The Bojon Gourmet

5.  Charleston Pink Lady From Return To Sunday Supper

6.  Key Lime Smoothie from Recipes We Love

7.  Rainbow Freezies from Duhlicious

8.  Sweetheart Black Cherry Mimosas form Real Housemoms

9.  Blue Raspberry Spiked Lemonade from Sugar and Charm

10.  Party Punch from Chef in Training

I hope that you enjoy these recipes and that one of them fits into your Happy Hour this week.

Have a great weekend.

Debi

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Make Your Own Coffee Table Book

How to make a fashion book with Blurb:Blurb is a cool company that lets you make books about anything that interests you. And if you’re interested in fashion and style—and love to show it off—making a book of your personal fashion is a fantastic way to capture your sartorial genius for all time. Whether you want it just for yourself, so you can look through your greatest hits, or you’re a bit of an Internet fashionista who wants to make a book to sell, you’ll find these tips pretty helpful:

1. It’s all about lighting. To make your fashion really pop, choose natural light or studio light with a soft box (you can even make one from a lamp and last season’s white t-shirt). If you’re using a flash, you’ll probably want to bounce it or stick a diffusion filter on it.


2. Make a shot list. This is a critical step, and even more important if you are photographing models. Even if your model is just your best friend who owes you a favor, they’ll appreciate it if you know exactly what you want to shoot. Think about the poses you want to capture, the outfits you want them to wear, and the details that you want to highlight in every shot. 

3. White balance (WB). Accurate color and skin tones come from making sure the WB function on your camera is set to your lighting situation. 


4. Choose the right lens/zoom setting. If you’re using a wide angle, you’re going to lose your beautiful lines (and your model may never forgive you). If you have a camera with different zoom levels, zoom out to minimize lens barrel distortion. 

5. Keep it stylish. It’s a fashion shoot, after all. Play music, keep things moving, try new angles. Attitude, attitude, attitude.


6. Dress it up. Make your book as fashionable as the clothing featured in it. Choose a simple design that doesn’t upstage the clothing, but still looks chic. Pick a size and paper type that showcases the work brilliantly.

If you’ve ever paid attention to what’s on the catwalk, you know that fashion means different things to different people. Follow your own fashion obsessions and document them in a fashionable book. If you look good today in person, imagine looking great forever on the printed page with Blurb! Start your Blurb book now and Save 25% on print book orders of $75+ at Blurb.

This is such a great idea, not only for fashion, but even travel books for pictures that you have taken on vacation, or books for grandma or grandpa for Mother's Day and Father's Day.  The sky is the limit with what you can do, and these are books that you can share with family and friends or even sell.  I love travel books and photography and this is such a fun idea.  I love pictures of doors and windows, and I'm thinking that would be a fun book idea.   Maybe an art book to sell.

The sky is the limit, so head over to Blurb and make your publishing dreams become a reality.

Have a great week.

Debi

This post is sponsored by Blurb

Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 81

We want to thank everyone who shared with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 80.  We love seeing all of your posts.

We decided to change the party up a bit, and are now starting it at 6:00PM on Tuesday's.

Welcome to Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 81.

Now for the featured bloggers from both parties 76 and 77, and grab your featured button from our sidebar.  We will only be featuring 4 posts from each party this week.

Featured Bloggers from Blog Hop 80

1.  Knitted Sweater Made with Love from Julie's Lifestyle

2.  Painting Pine Floors Again from Simply Vintageous by Suzan

3.  Nella's Story from Pitter Patter










4. Spelt Flour Mini Floral Cupcakes from Twigg Studios

5.  Shrove Tuesday - Mini Fold-Up Pancakes from Button Mad

6.  Early Fall Cocktail from Horrific Knits

7.  86 Fabulous Cakes and Cake Pops to Make (Recipes) from Tip Junkie

8.  Thin Mints Moose Tracks Mud Pie from Diana Rambles

We are happy to have you at this week's party.  We always love hearing from you, so leave your comments.

Have a great week.

An InLinkz Link-up

Homemade Sunburn Lotion

Today I am sharing my recipe for Homemade Sunburn Lotion.  Last week in Florida, I got a bad sunburn.  I of course stupidly sat outside without sunscreen and this sunburn was a doozy.  Anyway, since I like to try to make my own beauty products, I headed over to the Whole Foods Body near my house and picked up some essential oils and other things that help with sunburns.  This Homemade Sunburn Lotion was better then anything I have ever bought in a store and it was pretty simple to make.  It will also go a long way.  I know some of the ingredients are a little more expensive, but they are worth it.

I made several different kinds, the first one made my forehead peel immediately.  Don't use witch hazel in a sunburn lotion, it will dry your skin out even more.  The version below is the second version I made, and it even turned my sunburn into a tan, and I have not peeled yet and it been about 10 days since I did such a stupid thing.  I don't know why I didn't put sunscreen on, but definitely don't do as I do, do as I say.

Homemade Sunburn Lotion

Ingredients:

2 oz Aloe Vera Gel
1 tsp Herb Pharm Calendula oil
1 tsp Neem Oil
20 drops tea tree oil
1 TB Distilled water

Mix all ingredients with a whisk and pour into a container.  I would normally uses an amber or blue glass container, but unfortunately this whole foods didn't have any, so I had to pick up this plastic one at the dollar store.  Oh well!

Shake well before each use.

Apply to skin wherever needed, whenever needed.  I put it on several times a day, but at least morning and night.

The reason for the ingredients:

Aloe Vera Gel - Is known for its healing properties for the skin.  It's and analgesic, so it helps with pain (my sunburn).  An antipruritic - helps with itching from bites and burns.  It also helps with hydration.

Calendula Oil - Calendula is know for helping to heal wounds and minor infections skin.

Neem Oil - it's and anti inflammatory and an analgesic when applied to the skin.  Great for a sunburns

Tea Tree Oil - antiseptic properties



I used the distilled water to thin it out a little bit and add a little extra hydration for burned and dried out skin.

I hope that you like this Sunburn Lotion.
Have a great week.
Debi
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Unity in Ephesians 4:1 - 16 Bible Study

Today I will be writing about Unity in Ephesians 4:1 - 16 for our Bible Study.  I have been reading a book called The Secrets of Intercessory Prayer by Jack Hayford and it brought my attention to Ephesians 4:25 - 32, but as I was reading Ephesians 4:1-16 I was drawn to the word Unity in these verses.  I would love for you to read the verses down below and then I will share a little of what I have been reading with all of you.

First for the definition of unity.  I searched google and found several defintioins.  Very interesting.

1.  the state of being united or joined as a whole

2. unity - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

1. Unity is being together or at one with someone or something. It's the opposite of being divided.

These are just a couple of the definitions, but I think they really describe the meaning of the word.

My Bible (New Spirit Filled Bible) gives some additional information on the word unity.  

It says that unity comes from the Greek word henote.  Hen is the neuter of a word heis, meaning the word "one" 1*

Paul is telling us in these verses to keep the "unity of Spirit" and to come to the "unity of faith"  He is telling us in these verses that the Holy Spirit is the source of unity.  Paul is also telling us in verses 4-6 that in the church of Jesus there is only one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Father and God of all.  That God is above all, through all, and in all.  

That's a pretty big deal.  So as we receive the Holy Spirit it not only brings us together with Christ and God, it also joins us with the body.  There is unity, a joining with the whole through the Spirit.

  The Spirit is who helps us overcome our proclavity self-centeredness, independance, and self-serving.  He draws us together with other believers and creates the miracle of oneness Jesus prayed for in John 17. 1*

I am so happy that you joined me today.

Have a Blessed week.

Debi

1. New Spirit Filled Life Bible - Jack Hayford

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