In honor of the November/ Thanksgiving season I would like to share the blessings I am especially thankful for.
1. My husband - Jason
'A good marriage is like a casserole,only those responsible for it reallyknow what goes in it."
2. My husband good job (so I can stay home with Tyson)
"Winners take time to relish their work, knowing that scaling the mountain is what makes the view from the top so exhilarating."
3. My amazingly fun family
Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.
4. All the friends and loved ones who care so much for us
"A faithful friend is the medicine of life."
5. Gospel and Jesus Christ
"Faith makes all things possible. Love makes them easy."
Showing posts with label domestics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label domestics. Show all posts
Great tip for Halloween
So Halloween is right around the corner! Happy Halloween in advance! but I wanted to share this tip my sister in law told me!
If your Jack-O-Lantern has been carved for a while and may look droopy just let it soak in water and it will look as good as new! Cool huh?
Frugal Fall Centerpiece Ideas
Here are some fun ideas I saw online and thought I would share!
This one is super easy. You can use real or silk sunflowers (silk will last longer unless the centerpiece is for a specific occasion then go for the real touch). And place on some ornate plates!
This one is almost the same as above. you will need to buy some small pumpkins from the grocery store. I think you could also use gourds. I think for the embellishments you could use flowers including sunflowers or even some dried fall leaves.
I really loved this one! If your crafty enough you could paint on the design or if you don't think you could paint then try a sharpie! You could try some fall leaf designs as well or whatever you could think of. For the pedistal you could use a ornate candle holder or if the pumpkins big enough try a cake server.
Branches in lemon water. I love how they used branches with acorns on them! Easy as pie and looks cute as ever!
Ok, whoever thought of this is truely creative and I vow to use this idea sometime in the future. The small pumpkins can be found at stores such as Walmart or I've even seen them at the dollar store. We all have stem wine glasses from our weddings that we all want to use someday! I think when I do this centerpiece I will use walnust or smaller pinecones or maybe nothing at all. Either way these are all easy and cute centerpieces! Let me know which one was your favorite!
Banana Bread for the cold
Banana Bread
This was just the remedy for the cold weather for me today. Banana bread and hot cocoa! Yum!
Here's the recipe-
Peachy Apricot Jello Fluff
APRICOT JELLO SALAD
1st Layer
1 lg. Peach Jello
2 tbsp. sugar1
1 1/2 c. boiling water
3/4 pkg. cream cheese (softened)
2nd layer
1 sm. apricot Jello
1 tbsp. sugar1
3/4 c. boiling water
1/4 pkg. cream cheese (softened)
Toppings
1 lg. Cool Whip
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple
1 can apricots, chopped or fresh apricots to taste
Directions:
First layer- Beat Jello, sugar, water and cream cheese until foamy. Refrigerate one hour.
Second layer- Beat Jello, sugar, water and cream cheese until foamy. Pour onto existing peach layer. Refrigerate two hours.
Add Cool Whip, pineapple and apricots. Mix well or arrange on top and refrigerate.
Hint:
You can use peach or apricot in either layer. Also you can get creative and use other fruits and flavors.
Fourth of July
Happy Fourth of July in advance! Here's some projects I'm up to today. Feel free to share any good snacks or crafts that your up to and have a safe and fun Fourth!
Snacky Sparklers
long rod pretzels
white chocolate, melted -or- white cake frosting
sprinkles (red, white and blue) or star cake decorations
Directions:
Melt the white chocolate. Dip the pretzel rod halfway into the melted chocolate then sprinkle the sprinkles over the wet chocolate. Lay on waxed paper or place in a cup to dry.
Sticker Star Spinner
(now say that 10 times fast)
CRAFT MATERIALS:
Plastic coffee can lid
Craft knife
Thick rubber band
Paper clips
Sticker stars
Flexible plastic straw
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Use a craft knife to cut a small X in the center of a plastic coffee lid.
2. Push one end of a thick rubber band up through the opening and stretch it around the center of a paper clip to keep it from pulling back through. Decorate the lid with sticker stars.
3. From a flexible plastic straw, cut one 4-inch straight length and one 4 1/2-inch length with the bendable portion near the center. Shape a second paper clip into a small hook. Then slide it into the straight straw length and use it to pull the free end of the rubber band through.
4. Insert one end of the bendable straw length through the protruding loop of the rubber band for a handle.
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11482
Fourth Flag Fan
(I have no idea why I made these all tongue twisters!?!)
CRAFT MATERIALS:
17- by 5 1/2-inch piece of white paper
Ruler
Pencil
Red and blue markers
Pushpin
Plastic drinking straws
Paper fastener
Tape
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. In the upper left-hand corner of the paper, measure and mark a rectangle that's 8 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches high. Draw rows of stars within the rectangle and then color around them with blue marker.
2. Divide the rest of the paper into stripes and color every other one red. Now fold the paper accordion style.
3. Create a frame for the fan by using the pushpin to poke a hole through each straw, 1 inch from the bottom. Then, join the three straws with the paper fastener.
4. Spread apart the top of the straw frame, fit the flag onto the frame, and tape it in place.
Watermelon Bombe
Beware tastes great but melts fast on a summer afternoon!
1/2 lb Lime Serbert
2 pints Vanilla Ice Cream
1 pint Rasberry Serbert
2 pints Vanilla Ice Cream
1 pint Rasberry Serbert
Chocolate chips or chocolate wafers, to taste
1 8-inch-round layer Vanilla cake
1 8-inch-round layer Vanilla cake
Directions:
1. Line a 3-quart metal mixing bowl with plastic wrap, and leave the edges overhanging. Place lined bowl in freezer for 10 minutes; this will be the mold. Chill the bowl of an electric mixer as well.
2. Place lime ice cream in the chilled mixer bowl. Using the paddle attachment of the mixer, beat on low speed until ice cream is spreadable, about 30 seconds. Remove chilled mold from freezer. Using a rubber spatula, coat inside of mold with all the lime ice cream, making a 1/2-inch-thick layer. Return mold and clean mixer bowl to the freezer for 30 minutes.
3. Place vanilla ice cream in chilled mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until spreadable, about 30 seconds. Remove mold from freezer. Using the rubber spatula, coat lime layer with the vanilla ice cream, making a 1/4-inch-thick layer. Return mold and clean mixer bowl to freezer for 30 minutes.
4. Place rasberry sorbet in chilled mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until sorbet has softened, about 1 minute. Fold in wafer pieces. Remove mold from freezer. Pack sorbet into center, making an even layer that comes to 1/3 inch below the top of the ice cream layer. Cover sorbet portion with sponge cake; trim cake if necessary. Return mold to freezer until completely hardened.
5. To serve, place a serving plate upside down on top of the mold. Holding plate against mold, invert both. Place a hot wet kitchen towel over the mold. Remove the metal bowl. Immediately before serving, remove the plastic wrap.
Homemade Spagetti Sauce
I made this sauce the other night and Jason will not let me buy store brand ever again! Hope you enjoy.
1/2 lbs. ground beef or sausage or both
1 sm. onion (or chopped onions)
1 clove garlic (or chopped garlic)
1 1/2 c. water
2 6 oz. can tomato paste
1/2 tomato chopped finely
1/4 green pepper chopped finely
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. basil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
pepper to taste
Directions: Saute meat, add onion and garlic. Drain grease. Stir in remaining ingredients. Let simmer for 20-25 minutes until thick. Yum!
Happy Earth Day
History of Earth day-
"In the Beginning...In 1963, former Senator Gaylord Nelson began to worry about our planet. (A senator is a person that the people of the United States have chosen to help make the laws.) Senator Nelson knew that our world was getting dirty and that many of our plants and animals were dying.
He wondered why more people weren't trying to solve these problems. He talked to other lawmakers and to the President. They decided that the President would go around the country and tell people about these concerns. He did, but still not enough people were working on the problem.
The IdeaThen, in 1969, Senator Nelson had another idea. He decided to have a special day to teach everyone about the things that needed changing in our environment. He wrote letters to all of the colleges and put a special article in Scholastic Magazine to tell them about the special day he had planned. (Most of the schools got this magazine and he knew that kids would help him.)
The HolidayOn April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held. People all over the country made promises to help the environment. Everyone got involved and since then, Earth Day has spread all over the planet. People all over the world know that there are problems we need to work on and this is our special day to look at the planet and see what needs changing. Isn't it great?
Ideas for Earth Day-
1. Reduce electricity- Explain to your children that lights, computers, televisions and furnaces use energy, and that energy is in short supply. Jessica Altman of Buffalo, NY, encourages her 3-year-old to always flip off the light when she leaves a room and shut off the TV when she’s no longer watching. Now the toddler even reminds others: “Turn off the light!”
Appliances like DVD players use energy even when off, so cutting the power totally is the only way to conserve. Go shopping together to buy power bars and plug your electronics into them (watch little ones closely so there are no shocks).
2. Take small steps- There are dozens of small things your kids can do every day to save energy and keep the world cleaner and greener. Your kids can:
Shut off the water when they brush their teeth
Walk, ride a bike or take the bus instead of traveling by car
Take faster showers or baths in just a small amount of water
Help hang clothes on the line instead of putting them in the dryer
Choose products that are not over packaged
3. Recycle- Explain to your kids that every bottle and can they use is waste that just sits in a big pile at the local dump if we don’t recycle. Get them involved by making it their job to sort recyclables and take them out for pickup. (Remind them to watch out for broken glass and ask for help if this happens.) If there’s no recycling collection in your area, find out where you can drop off items.
4. Make a reusable bag- One of the first projects Poe and her friends did as pat of Kids FACE was to make fun bags for grocery shopping. Plastic shopping bas are a big garbage problem -- it takes 1,000 years for a bag to break down! Here’s how: Have your kids help you choose some heavy fabric and sew it into simple rectangular bags with handles. Or, buy some canvas bags at a craft or environmentally friendly gift shop. Then use fabric pens to draw pictures on them. (Check out our Canvas Grocery Tote bag craft for detailed instructions.) Take the bags out with you every time you shop."
1. Reduce electricity- Explain to your children that lights, computers, televisions and furnaces use energy, and that energy is in short supply. Jessica Altman of Buffalo, NY, encourages her 3-year-old to always flip off the light when she leaves a room and shut off the TV when she’s no longer watching. Now the toddler even reminds others: “Turn off the light!”
Appliances like DVD players use energy even when off, so cutting the power totally is the only way to conserve. Go shopping together to buy power bars and plug your electronics into them (watch little ones closely so there are no shocks).
2. Take small steps- There are dozens of small things your kids can do every day to save energy and keep the world cleaner and greener. Your kids can:
Shut off the water when they brush their teeth
Walk, ride a bike or take the bus instead of traveling by car
Take faster showers or baths in just a small amount of water
Help hang clothes on the line instead of putting them in the dryer
Choose products that are not over packaged
3. Recycle- Explain to your kids that every bottle and can they use is waste that just sits in a big pile at the local dump if we don’t recycle. Get them involved by making it their job to sort recyclables and take them out for pickup. (Remind them to watch out for broken glass and ask for help if this happens.) If there’s no recycling collection in your area, find out where you can drop off items.
4. Make a reusable bag- One of the first projects Poe and her friends did as pat of Kids FACE was to make fun bags for grocery shopping. Plastic shopping bas are a big garbage problem -- it takes 1,000 years for a bag to break down! Here’s how: Have your kids help you choose some heavy fabric and sew it into simple rectangular bags with handles. Or, buy some canvas bags at a craft or environmentally friendly gift shop. Then use fabric pens to draw pictures on them. (Check out our Canvas Grocery Tote bag craft for detailed instructions.) Take the bags out with you every time you shop."
Recipes for Earth Day-
http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/earth-day-recipes.html
Crafts for Earth Day-
http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/earth-day-recipes.html
Crafts for Earth Day-
These ideas and more are from http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/index.html?source=holidayslnv&kw=earthdayholLN
Spring Flower Arrangments
Lighten up your home for spring by adding some fresh spring flower arrangements... and you can do it for free!
What you'll need: All around the city there are blossoms and buds. You'll need to get some branches from the side of the road or wherever. You'll also need some gardening sheers or sharp scissors. Last but not least you'll need a vase, any will do.
What to do: You can do a short or long stem arrangement. You will want to cleanly cut the ends of each stem. Make sure each end is cut clean, this will help to lengthen the life of your arrangement. Arrange them off centered or symmetrical, you decide!
Tips: Try not to place your arrangement in direct light or extreme heat. Keep the water clean, you may have to change it. Remove any leaves or buds that fall in the water. Best of all be creative; use pastel ribbons around your vase or whatever comes to your genius mind! Have fun!
Spring Forward with new decor
Springtime decor tips
"It's fun to feel cozy in the winter with warm colors and soft, fluffy fabrics. In the summmer, a cool, airy look is appealing. Read here to get some simple ideas for transforming the look of your home with the seasons.
"It's fun to feel cozy in the winter with warm colors and soft, fluffy fabrics. In the summmer, a cool, airy look is appealing. Read here to get some simple ideas for transforming the look of your home with the seasons.
Here's How:
1. When the cold weather arrives, have a collection of cozy, fluffy throws to place on your furniture for snuggling. Remove them or replace with soft cotton or silk throws for warmer months.
1. When the cold weather arrives, have a collection of cozy, fluffy throws to place on your furniture for snuggling. Remove them or replace with soft cotton or silk throws for warmer months.
2. Remove the toasty down-filled duvet from your bed in the spring and substitute a light cotton matalasse bed cover or a simple cotton blanket.
3. Floral arrangements of pine and holiday colors can be changed for light, colorful ones for the spring and summer. Put away dark brass or pottery containers and bring out clear glass or crystal vases.
4. Change dark-patterned decorative pillows by covering them with fresh, floral prints or plaids for warmer weather. Either change out the pillows with a second set or alternate the decorative covers.
5. If you have a collection of plates on display, put classic holiday designs away for the winter and replace with pretty floral china from grandma.
6. Have your draperies made so they are reversible allowing you to easily turn them from lively to neutral with the seasonal changes.
7. Be sure to put garden magazines and flower books out on the coffee table in the spring and summer. That will help bring the outside in and add color to your interior.
Tips:
1. Keep spring and summer colors and accessories light, both in feel and color.
Tips:
1. Keep spring and summer colors and accessories light, both in feel and color.
2. Changing with the seasons gives you an opportunity to get out some long-lost pieces and make them the center of attention for a while.
3. The change of decor can come all at one time, like spring house cleaning, or over a period of several days or weeks. You'll be surprised what a difference just a small change can make.
4. If winter seems especially long, forget the calendar and get your spring things out even if there's snow on the ground. You may still need the warm blankets, but the look can be light and uplifting."
(These helpful tips are from http://interiordec.about.com/cs/seasonaldecor/ht/ht_changeseason.htm?once=true& by Coral Nafie)
Here are some helpful and cute rooms http://www.pier1.com/TopMenu/GetInspired/tabid/137/Default.aspx
Here are some helpful and cute rooms http://www.pier1.com/TopMenu/GetInspired/tabid/137/Default.aspx
Easter Crafts: Part 2
These are some ideas from Martha Stewart's Easter Workshop ( http://www.marthastewart.com/easter-workshop?xsc=eml_eas_2008_03_13 ) and Easter crafts. I've made some Spring crafts I'd like to share. Enjoy!
What I used:
1. Fallen branch
2. Spring flowers
3. Birds
* I hot glued the flowers to the branch and the birds I purchased at Dollar Tree came with wires. I twisted the wires around the branch. Using white thread (also can use fishing line or jewelry making thread) I hung the branch.
______________________________________
What I used:
1. Orange knitting yarn
2. Elmer's glue
3. Green felt
4. 3 Straight pins (per carrot)
5. Styrofoam star (Roberts crafts or any local craft store, shown below)
* I took the Styrofoam star and cut it into five pieces as shown in the first picture. Then I took a straight pin and wrapped some yarn around the top. At this time I also applied some Elmer's glue around the top where I wrapped the yarn. I continued to wrap down the carrot as shown in the third picture. As I worked down the carrot i applied glue to the bare Styrofoam.
* Once I worked down the carrot I secured the bottom with another straight pin and applied glue. To make the stem I cut two small pieces of felt and folded them like in the above picture. I then took a straight pin and placed them through the top. you can also use this method to make eggs with egg shaped Styrofoam as shown in second picture. I placed these carrots around my home or you could use them on an Easter tree. Thanks Martha!
Most of these instructions are also found on the Martha Stewart website or from my link on Easter Crafts: Part 1. Here are also some other fun crafts I will be doing this week!
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=1bcbd52add62f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Egg Garland
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=0705d0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Bunny Garland
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=d461ba1fa9751110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Cucumber and cream cheese snacks
This snack was served at a recent enrichment activity I went to. I have been craving them since! Mine do not have dill weed but I would recommend it! Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 (8 ounce)package cream cheese , softened
1 package good seasonings Italian salad dressing mix
1 dash Tabasco sauce
1 package rye cocktail bread
1 seedless European cucumber , unpeeled
dried dill or fresh dill (to garnish)
Directions
1 I wash and score the cucumber with a fork along the entire length of the cucumber, all the way around, to make a design Slice thinly and set aside.
2 Combine cream cheese, Good Seasonings Italian mix and Tabasco sauce.
3 Spread cream cheese mixture, generously on each slice of cocktail bread, place slice of cucumber and sprinkle the top with dill.
Creamy Chocolate Marble Fudge
My mother-in-law gave me this calendar for Christmas and it has a recipe for every month. This months was fudge and it was oh so good.
Makes about 8 dozen candies
Ingredients
• 6 cups sugar
• 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine
• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 2 jars (7 oz. each) marshmallow creme or 1 package (101/2 oz.) miniature marshmallows
• 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups white baking chips
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Directions
1. Line a 9” x 13” pan with aluminum foil, leaving 1 inch of foil overhanging at two opposite sides of pan.
2. In 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat sugar, evaporated milk, butter and cream cheese to boiling. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Cook about 10 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 225ºF on candy thermometer. Remove from heat.
4. Quickly stir in marshmallow creme and vanilla extract. Place white baking chips in large bowl; pour 4 cups hot marshmallow mixture over chips, stir to mix. Stir milk chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, cocoa and nuts (if using) into remaining marshmallow mixture.
5. Pour one-third of white mixture into pan, spreading evenly. Quickly pour one-third of chocolate mixture over top, spreading evenly. Repeat twice. Using knife greased with butter, swirl mixtures together to form a marbled look. Let cool. Refrigerate, uncovered, about 3 hours or until set. Cut into 8 rows by 12 rows with greased knife. Store covered in refrigerator.
Each serving: About 130 calories, 1g protein, 20g carbohydrate, 5g fat (3g saturated), 10mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium
December decor
Gift Tags
I bought these letters at pebbles in my pocket located by Arby's on State St. They were 10 for 1$! They have adhesives on the back so I tied some on (T he letter "k") and also put some directly on the gift(The letter "D") .
Hanging ornaments
Kinda a fun idea I saw on an Old Navy commercial. I hung them with push pins which you can see (below picture) and thread though you could also use fishing line. Someone also suggested putting some greenery around the top to hide the push pins.
Thought I would also throw out the tip that you can make any room feel like Christmas. Just take some leftover ribbon and make a picture into a present! This ones in my Rubber Duck bathroom!
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