Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Homemade First Aid Kit


It's Tips Tuesday!! I always love these ones that use an item regularly used for another function :)

A tackle box is a great home for a first aid kit. It's perfect to keep bandages,ointments,scissors,tweezers,etc.organized. The bottom is great for those bigger items like elastic rolls for sprains. The nice thing about it
is, you can get just about any size for you and your family's needs.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Must Have Monday! Curious Perfume


Quite a few yeas ago, I received a sample spritz of Curious perfume by Britney Spears at Claires Boutique. Although Britney has had her share of ups and downs, most being downs...I have loved this perfume ever since! All it takes is a small amount so it lasts for a while! I usually need a new bottle every Christmas and that is my daughter and I both using it so you can see just how long it lasts :) Keep this perfume going...give it a try!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Pepper Condiment Holders


Having a Picnic Or Get-Together? Try This.

Pepper Condiment Holders

For a fun and colorful way  to serve condiments, hollow out a red bell pepper and fill it with ketchup. Hollow out a yellow bell pepper and fill it with mustard. Hollow out a green pepper and fill it with relish. Serve with spoons.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Sticky Notes


I got this quick tip from Good Housekeeping, December 2010 issue.

Double Duty Sticky Note

Before you toss one of these paper reminders, run the sticky side between the keys of your computer's keyboard to collect crumbs and other grime.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Frugal Friday! Entertain on the Cheap


I found a few of these nice tips on "Entertaining on the Cheap" in my AllYou magazine, March 25, 2011 issue.

Entertain on the Cheap: Make your parties the best on the block--without overspending

All year long, entertaining should be on your mind. When the clearance signs go up, be on the prowl for napkins, paper plates and any holiday-themed items such as tablecloths. The cost is often a fraction of the original.

Use what you own. Pretend you have no money in your account and look around your house for ideas. A reader, for instance, used hydrangeas and magnolia branches from her yard as the decor and the party favors were jars of jelly that she got in a combo pack!

Make your menu as flexible as possible. The day before the party, go to the grocery storea nd see what meats are on clearance. Usually, you can pick up some quality cuts at low prices. A reader, for instance, often prepares fajitas becasue the vegetables make the meat go further. She can entertain 10 couples with about $4 worth of meat.

Another reader, always keeps chickpeas, black beans and tortilla chips on hand. In a pinch, she can make an inexpensive and easy hummus or bean dip to serve with raw veggies, chips or pita bread, Dips are not only fun and easy, they are satisfying too.

Have guests bring the dinner ingredients! Do either a pizza bar or a build-your-own stir-fry. As guests arrive, put their "topping" in a dish and place it out on a table. When everyone is present, start cooking. You can also do a waffle bar, omelets or fondue. You're limited only by your imagination.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Things to Make Thursday! Colored Sand Vases


Found this cool craft for adult or tween on familyfun.com!


Here's a super-simple way to recycle assorted jars and bottles into colorful vases that'll look great lined up on a sunny windowsill.


Materials:

Newspaper
Tacky glue
Plastic cup
Paintbrush
Clean glass bottle or jar
Spoon
Colored sand (sold at most craft supply stores)

Instructions:

Cover your workspace with newspaper (this will make it easier to clean up later). Pour 1/4 cup or so of tacky glue into a plastic cup and dilute it slightly with a teaspoon of water.

Show your kids how to use a paintbrush to coat the outside of a clean bottle or jar with the glue solution and then sprinkle spoonfuls of colored sand over the glued surface, rotating the bottle to spread the sand evenly.

Allow the glue to dry completely. Once your kids get the hang of it, encourage them to experiment with multicolored designs. Or they might apply the glue in swirls or other shapes to create interesting patterns.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

What the Heck? Wednesday


This week, I googled the word "spoon" for my What the Heck? Wednesday and found this interesting photo. Here is the story behind it.


A young Australian woman, 26, accidentally swallowed a teaspoon in a laughing fit while eating spaghetti during a dinner conversation. She laughed so hard that the 15-centimeter spoon lodged in her throat at the top of her stomach. The Sunday Telegraph newspaper reports that the doctors at Canterbury Hospital had sedated the woman and taken out the spoon “with great difficulty” during the 90-minute operation.


Crazy!!!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday! Parenting Emoticons





I found this funny "Parenting Top Ten" page in Parenting magazine and thought I would share it. Be sure to pick up your copy of Parenting magazine to get more reading like this!

Parenting Emoticons

Smiley and sad faces? Puh-leeze. Moms and dads need their own special shorthand for online chatter.

@ :( 
The bubblegum ended up in his hair

UU UUU
She lost her first tooth!

$--> * * * * *
I just spent a week's salary on Koosh balls

( . ) ( . )
Time to breastfeed

% >--O
Seesaw accident at the playground

____8_____
Anyone seen a superhero mask?

.......
Vaccination Day

--+-
Found the lightsaber!

Z8^)
He's still wearing the Harry Potter Halloween costume

# # # # # # # # # # #
How many games of tic-tac-toe can one play during a layover?

Friday, July 22, 2011

Frugal Friday! Get more out of everyday :)


I found this nice little tip from AllYou magazine, April 22, 2011 issue.

Editor's Tip on Getting More Out of Everyday!

Buy 3 oz bottles of face wash in bulk. They clear airport security, and the product does double duty in a pinch as a shower gel. You can even use it to lather your legs before shaving!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What the heck? Wednesday

I randomly selected a word to google today "goat", clicked on images, and added a caption:



"These tightrope lessons are really starting to pay off!"







Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Oh So Random


I got a couple of random tips in my email box today and thought I would share them :)

Straighten your bacon:
Before cooking the strips run them under
water and they won't curl up in the pan,comes
out perfect for sandwiches and arterial clogging.

Clean the toilet porcelain:
Remember those vitamin c tablets you mite have around the house?
Drop a couple into the toilet and wait 2 hours then flush. Your toilet will gleam!!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Swap a Recipe Saturday! Revolutionary Berries


Revolutionary Berries

Make your Fourth of July party berry nice with these easy treats.


Rally the kiddie corps to help with these fun-to-prep bites.

Ingredients:

12 ounces white chocolate chips
Strawberries
Blue sugar or edible glitter

Instructions:

Melt 12 ounces of white chocolate chips in a microwave according to the package directions (make sure the container and the berries are dry; even a little moisture will alter the texture of the candy).

One at a time, dip strawberries into the chocolate and then into blue sugar or edible glitter.

Set them to harden on waxed paper.

Makes 35 to 45 decorated berries.

I found this recipe on familyfun.com

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

What to do Wednesday? Write a Letter


Have we totally gone electronic these days? Remember those things called pen and paper? How about writing a letter to a family member or friend? Everything nowadays seems so impersonal, invites are even sent by Facebook Event. Sit down and take a breather, choose some stationary that makes you feel good, write a nice long letter of what has been going on in your life...there are still people in this world who are just tickled to get mail!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Smart Ways to Use New Sponges!


Have a bag of new, clean sponges laying around? How about trying out some of these ideas.

1. Sprout Seeds! Start growing seeds indoors to delight kids! Soak a sponge in water, squeeze out excess and put on a plate. Fill holes with seeds, place in a window, mist every other day, then look for 'em to sprout! Once plants get to be about an inch tall, carefully lift out of the sponge and transplant into soil.

2. Swipe away lint! Forget a lint brush! Instead, brush your fuzz-covered garments or furniture with an unused cellulose sponge. The lint will practically jump off the fabric and onto the sponge.

3. Make your own gift wrap! Cut sponges into heart or star shapes, dip in paint and let you your kids decorate a brown grocery bag. When it's dry, you'll have unique wrapping paper for gifts!

4. Soften clothing! No need for a fabric softener ball! Dampen a sponge with fabric softener and toss into your washing machine. During the cycle, the sponge will slowly release the softener into your laundry for fresh, fluffy results!

5. Use up extra soap slivers! Cut a pocket through a sponge and slide small pieces of soap inside. Dampen the sponge and you'll have instant lather!

Great Idea! Keep your sponge fresh! Dampen your sponge and microwave it for two minutes. The heat will kill the germs and remove odors!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Must Have Monday! Just Basic Glitter Bobby Pins


Who doesn't love a little touch of bling?

I bought 2 different sets of these Just Basic brand bobby pins. All are glitter covered and come in a variety of colors. The first card has dark brown, light brown, black, blue and light blue. The second card has purple, Burgundy, yellow, orange, lime and turquoise. Wear one, wear a few, criss cross them in your hair! These are a definite must have on my accessories list :)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Things to Make Thursday! Camera Card for Father's Day


Camera Card

Total Time Needed:
1 Hour

This photogenic Father's Day card takes aim at the hearts of shutterbug fathers everywhere.

Materials:

Clean, wide jar lid
Black acrylic paint
Black card stock
Photo
Glue dots or double-sided tape
Silver paint marker

Instructions:

First, paint the inside and sides of a clean, wide jar lid (such as the lid from a peanut butter jar) with black acrylic paint and let it dry.

Cut a photo to fit the inside of the lid, and attach it with glue dots or double-sided tape.

Fold a half-sheet of black card stock in half, and cut two sections from the folded edge, as shown above.

Add simple camera details with silver paint marker, then adhere the jar lid to the front of the card.

Inside, write a camera-related message: "You're a picture perfect dad!" or "Dad, you always make us smile."

I found this awesome craft on familyfun.com

Monday, June 13, 2011

Must Have Monday! Clorox Sanitizing Wipes



Have a dirty house? How about just an untidy one? Either way you go, these are a must have! A quick swipe with a Clorox Sanitizing Wipes leaves your kitchen counters clean and smelling great! Tough bathroom? I love using them. One handed jobs work best for me especially when I have a child or 2 tugging on me! Quick and efficient...try them!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Swap a Recipe Saturday! Lawn Mower Cupcakes


Want Some Mower?

These sweet lawn mower cupcakes are a cut-above choice for Father's Day. I found these adorable cupcakes on familyfun.com.

Ingredients:

Chocolate-frosted cupcakes
Coconut, flaked
Green food coloring
Hershey's Nuggets
M&M's
Frosting
Black licorice laces

Instructions:

For each cupcake, mix a handful of flaked coconut with a few drops of green food coloring. Press a chocolate-frosted cupcake into the coconut to cover.

The mower is made with a dark chocolate Hershey's Nuggets body, brown M&M's wheels, and a red M&M's engine, held in place with dabs of frosting.

Shape the handle from a piece of black licorice lace, then insert the ends into the cupcake.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Miscellaneous Window Cleanings


Here are some miscellaneous ways to get all of that window cleaning finished up!

Miscellaneous

Clean aluminum window frames with cream silver polish.

To clean sliding door tracks, either wrap a small cloth around an eraser and rub dirt away or use a toothbrush dipped in all-purpose cleaning solution.

Wax traverse or curtain rods before hanging to make sliding curtains easier.

Stick drapery hooks into a bar of soap to make insertion into fabric a snap.

To keep the corners of your windowsills free of dust and moisture, rub a white candle into each corner of the sill.

Louvered windows and doors are easy to clean with a 2-inch-wide paint brush dipped in a mild soap solution. Lightly towel dry.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Must Have Monday! Fresh Express Baby Spinach



Fresh Express Baby Spinach is a definite must have in this house. It gives you an awesome fresh taste instead of regular old lettuce. Match it with some red wine vinegar (no oil) and you have a great lunch filled with everything you need minus the fat and calories.

Eat as much as you want!!! I won't tell, but your waistline will ;)

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Special Time Sunday! Take a Spring Walk


Take advantage of gorgeous weather by getting out in it. How about a walk down your street or even around the block? If you live on a country road, you can even stop and pick wildflowers along the way.

It is a great way to spend quality time with your family. Walking, talking, observing different things along the way, etc...

Don't forget your camera, you can capture some of nature's beauty!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Swap a Recipe Saturday!! Delicious Diploma Cake


Delicious Diploma Cake

I found this awesome cake design on familyfun.com!

With another school year drawing to a close, you'll want to make sure your young graduate gets his just desserts -- such as a jelly roll diploma wrapped in a fruit leather bow.

Ingredients:

2 eggs plus 1 egg white
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Jelly
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 tbsp. butter,softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Decorator's gel
Fruit leather

Instructions:

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 15- x 10-inch jelly roll pan with waxed paper and grease the paper well.

In a bowl, beat the eggs and egg white with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract, then gradually beat in the sugar at low speed. Stir in the dry ingredients until well mixed.

Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Invert the hot cake onto a clean towel sprinkled with confectioners' sugar; remove the waxed paper. Trim the cake edges with a sharp knife (adults only) and roll up the hot cake and towel from a narrow end. Let it cool on a wire rack.

Unroll the cooled cake, remove the towel, and spread on jelly, leaving a 2-inch strip at one end plain. Reroll the jelly-covered portion of the cake.

In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, and the last 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and use to frost the cake.

Use decorator's gel to pipe "roll lines" on the cake ends and the class year or your child's name onto the unrolled portion. Finally, add a fruit leather bow.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Frugal Friday! How to Save Money through Simple Changes


I found this great information on the blog: Frugal Living Tips.

Like simplicity? How about saving money?

How to Save Money through Simple Changes

It may be trite, it may be a cliché, and it may have been repeated through the ages, but there’s no doubting the fact that “A penny saved is a penny earned”. In today’s economic climate, it’s becoming harder than ever before to make enough money, and with expenses and costs soaring on the other side, the balance is skewed and tilting dangerously into the hole of debt. We’re often reluctant to save money because it’s an effort that is hard to sustain – we save one day, yet blow away much more the next thus nullifying all the good that has been done. For thriftiness to work, it must become a habit and not a one-off thing that you practice whenever the mood strikes. So if you’re looking for easy and sustainable ways to save money, read on:

•Take a jog in the park: Forget and forgo those expensive memberships at swanky and upscale gyms; instead, take to walking or jogging around your local park. Gym memberships are a waste of money, especially when you’re not regular and when you’re charged for services you never use (like a personal trainer or special equipment). A jog in the fresh outside air perks up your spirits, boosts your health, and keeps you fit and strong; and the best part is, it’s also easy on your wallet. Stay indoors during inclement weather and do some stretches, a few squats, lunges, and other simple weight training exercises that work all the muscles in your body and boost your metabolism. At the most, you’ll have to shell out to buy a small pair of dumbbells and a workout mat.

•Eat at home: It’s not only healthy for your body, but also for your bank balance when you eat home-cooked meals. You get the best nutrition, you avoid all the unhealthy aspects of restaurant food (high fat content, preservatives, reused oil and trans-fat), and you save money every month. If you can’t cook every day, make batches during the weekend and freeze them to use during the rest of the week.

•Look after your health: With health insurance costs soaring by the day, it pays to adopt preventive measures to safeguard your health and that of your family. Simple things like regular exercise (even a short walk a day will do), healthy food (less fats and more of fresh fruits and vegetables), avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, less time in front of the television and the computer and more time doing something physical (like household chores, gardening, or even just playing with your kids), and regular screenings to catch disease in the early stages go a long way in keeping your money where it belongs, in your bank account.

•Eliminate what’s unnecessary: We live in a world where there’s plenty of everything, so much so that it’s a chore to choose among all the options available. However, if you think in terms of only what’s necessary, it’s not only easy to make a choice, it’s also easier on your wallet.

Trying to save money on a regular basis may not seem easy at first, but when you strive through the initial days, it soon becomes second nature and not such a difficult task after all.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Things to Make Thursday! Dad's Faux Leather Pencil Holder


With Father's Day coming up, here is a nice craft that is created from recycling.

Dad's Faux Leather Pencil Holder

This is a recycling craft that makes a practical gift for Dad - a pencil holder with a polished finish that looks like leather!


Recycled Pencil Container

Supplies:

Container(I used a crystal light container)

Masking tape

Brown shoe polish (not liquid)

Rag for buffing


Faux Leather Pencil Holder Craft

Instructions:

Tear off small pieces of masking tape and, starting at the top, attach them all around the container. Keep tearing and breaking off pieces, working your way down the container and all over the bottom.

Draw shapes on the roll of masking tape to use as decorative accents. I used a fish and small circles for the bubbles. Cut the shapes out and stick them to the container, on top of the other pieces of masking tape.

Roll a long piece of masking tape into a snake so that the sticky side is on the outside. Place that onto the top of the container as a lip.

Take the brown shoe polish and rub it all over the masking tape surface of the container. With another piece of cloth, rub the container until shiny. It will look like leather. I think this is a great gift for DAD!

(per allfreecrafts.com)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

What to do Wednesday! Meet your neighbors.


Have neighbors that you have never met? How about taking a few hours to introduce yourself.

Make an effort to introduce yourself to your neighbors if you don’t know them well. Invite any interesting ones over for a cup of coffee and a chat, just to get to know each other better. Your neighbors can not only become friends, but can also be a valuable resource – a friendly pair of eyes on your property when you’re away or a helpful set of hands when you’re trying to complete a challenging task.

I, myself, love to take some warm baked goods as a gift :)

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Cleaning Window Screens and Blinds


Continuing on with the window spring cleaning, on to screens!

Screens


Rub a brush-type roller over the screen to pick up dust.

Or brush both sides with kerosene and wipe clean with a clean cloth. This also prevents rust from forming.

For small areas, run a brush-type hair roller over the screen to remove lint and dust.

Dry nylon netting rubbed over screens will remove dirt too.

Blinds and Shades

Clean blinds by taking them off the window and laying them in a tub of sudsy ammonia. Then hang over the tub to dry.

For venetian or mini blinds, saturate a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wrap around a rubber spatula to clean both a bottom and a top slat at the same time.

Or soak blinds in the tub and, wearing a pair of fabric garden gloves, wipe each slat clean. Then hang over tub to dry.

To clean window shades, dip a rough flannel cloth in flour or corn meal and wipe shades.

A soft eraser removes spots on shades.

Clear nail polish will repair small tears

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Things to Make Thursday! CD Ornaments for Holiday or Everyday



CD Ornaments
Save those AOL CDs and fill your Christmas tree or teen girl's room with pretty, reflective ornaments.

You Need:

Two CDs you don't need
Gold Cord
Tacky Glue or Low Temp Glue Gun
Gemstones
Instructions:

Glue two CDs back-to-back, sandwiching a loop of cord between them for hanging.

Decorate with gemstones and glitter.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Must Have Monday! Wyler's Single Pack Lemonade to Go



Here is one thing that I simply cannot live without! Wyler's Single Pack Lemonades to Go. There are no calories and they taste great! I get them for only $1 a pack at The Dollar Tree and you get 10 of them. Keep them in the house or tuck them away in your purse for on the go and you don't have to worry about spending money on drinks while out! A great quench to your thirst!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Cleaning Windows


Onto the windows of our spring cleaning...

Just imagine, one minute you're looking through a foggy mess and then - in a flash - you have a crystal clear window on the world! Here are some proven tips to make window washing a snap!

Washing

Use vertical strokes when washing outside windows and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.

For a real shine, rub a blackboard eraser over a newly washed window.

Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too fast, and probably streak.

Always wash windows from top to bottom.

Consensus of opinion has it that crumbed up black and white newspaper dipped in vinegar is the absolute best way to wash windows. Dip paper in vinegar and wipe the glass until almost dry, then shine with dry newspaper or cloth.

Other cleaning solutions

Mix 1/3 cup ammonia in 1 gallon water Or 1/2 cup ammonia, 1 cup white vinegar and 2 Tbs cornstarch mixed in a bucket of warm water.

On cold days, add 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol to each quart of water to prevent icing.

Keep a spray bottle filled with 3 Tbs ammonia, 1 Tbs white vinegar and cool water on hand for spot cleaning windows and mirrors.

For painted windowsills, dilute rubbing alcohol with water and rub with a cloth. It gets rid of spots,and the sills look freshly painted.

To avoid taking down curtains when washing windows, drape them through a hanger and hang them from the curtain rod.

For outside windows, dip a long handled mop in cleaning solution, wash, then hose off. Throw a clean towel over the mop to dry.

A long handled car wash brush attached to a hose works great, too!

Straight vinegar will get those outside windows really clean.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Must Have Monday! Purex Crystals Softener


I cannot tell you how much I am in love with these crystals!!! As a Purex Insider, I received a 4 load sample to try out and held a giveaway for 3-28 oz bottles. Those winners are so lucky!!!

These crystals leave the freshest scent on your clothes for a long period of time. I didn't get around to doing laundry for a few days and our worn clothes still smelled fresh!!! This is a new staple on my shopping list!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Special Time Sunday! Happy (Non) Birthday


Birthdays come but once a year. How about having a non-birthday?

A non birthday is simply a birthday party on a day that is not your real birthday!

1. Bake or buy a birthday cake. Have your family blow out candles (everyone gets a turn)

2. Put all of your family members names into a hat and draw a name (name exchange), 1 name per person to buy a gift (no more than $1)

A fun way to spend some time together :)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Swap a Recipe Saturday! Taste a Rainbow


I found this yummy cupcake recipe for St. Patrick's Day on familyfun.com
Taste a Rainbow

Here's what little leprechauns look forward to on St. Patrick's Day: a magical snack that can add color to the grayest March afternoon. Pot of gold not included.

Ingredients:

White cake mix (we used an 18-1/4-ounce box)
Food coloring (red, blue, green, and yellow)
Baking cups
Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare your favorite white cake mix, then divide the batter evenly among six small bowls. Following the chart below, dye each bowl of batter a rainbow color.

RAINBOW COLOR DROPS OF FOOD COLORING
Purple 9 red and 6 blue drops
Blue 12 drops
Green 12 drops
Yellow 12 drops
Orange 12 yellow and 4 red drops
Red 18 drops


Line 16 muffin pan wells with baking cups. Evenly distribute the purple batter among the cups, then the blue, and so on, following the order shown. As you go, gently spread each layer of batter with the back of a spoon to cover the color underneath.

Bake the cupcakes according to your recipe directions. Before serving, remove the paper wrapping, and if you like, top each cupcake with a whipped-cream cloud.

Frugal Friday! Zero in on the best buys.


It is Frugal Friday, 1 day late. I found this article in AllYou magazine, March 25, 2011 issue.

Zero in on the best buys

There are many warehouse-club bargains to be had, but these are real steals!

Prescription Drugs

You can save more than 50 percent on common prescriptions at clubs compared with other pharmacies. Be sure to shop around, though, as costs vary between stores within the same chain.

Bottom Line: At Costco, 20-milligram Lisinopril pills (a generic blood pressure drug), cost less than $10 for 100; the price is more than $56 at CVS. That's almost an 82 percent savings!

Big-Ticket Electronics

National discount chains and online retailers offer similar prices as warehouse clubs do on televisions. Where you can find significant savings, however, is on the clubs' generous extended warranties and return policies.

Bottom Line: a 42 inch Vizio LCD HD television comes with a 2 year warranty and a 90 day return policy at Costco. The same TV as Sears costs only $20 more but has a one-year warranty, and you have just 30 days to bring it back.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Things to Make Thursday! Homemade Potpourri


Up to making something homemade? How about some potpourri :) I found this recipe on allfreecrafts.com.

Homemade Potpourri

Beginning with the first show of spring daffodils, you can start making a simple and fragrant kitchen windowsill potpourri. You will need a large clean jar, and scissors to cut an assortment of coloured and fragrant flowers as they appear in your garden.

Shown here is a jar of homemade potpourri packed with daffodils, lily of the valley, violets, bleeding hearts, roses, geranium, sweet william, pansies, viola, veronica, lavender, lemon balm leaves, citronella leaves, phlox, clover, and, just to add tang to the pot, the cut up dried peel of oranges and lemons. If you have some sprays of eucalyptus that is past its prime, wash off the dust, pull off leaves, and add these leaves to your potpourri flower jar as well.

I simply cut a few blossoms off each flower when they arrive in the garden and add to the mason jar. The drying process is simple...you just let the blossoms dry out in the jar with the aid of the sun shining through your windows.

As you add more blossoms, you should stir the lower layers of potpourri with a kitchen fork or spoon, and add the new blossoms on top. Don't pack the blossoms and leaves down too tightly- you want plenty of air space to encourage quick and complete drying.

By July, you could have several of these potpourri flower jars starting to fill to capacity; it is up to you whether you continue to add the August phlox or the fall asters. You might like to have one jar of predominantly roses, or another packed with mostly lavender; the fun is in experimenting to find the one you like the most.

I chose to add lots of citronella and lemon balm, as the smell was so fresh and pleasing that I couldn't resist it. It also had the added benefit of not requiring the addition of essential oils; the fragrance was aromatic enough to stand alone, although I did add some chopped up orange and lemon peel, after I had used the fruit. I might add an essential oil later, to refresh the potpourri when the first natural fragrances begin to fade.

That's it: a kitchen windowsill homemade potpourri of spring and summer flowers from your garden. What could be easier?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Thursday Blog Hops!!!



Bassgiraffe's Thoughts Thursday Blog Hop

What to do Wednesday! Draw a Family Picture


Want to bring out some creativity in your child? Have them draw a photo of the family :) It is a great way to see how your children describe the other family members.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Bathroom Miscellaneous


Here are some tips for the last few things that need cleaned in your bathroom.

Miscellaneous

To remove hair spray film from mirrors, wipe with rubbing alcohol.

To create a fresh, clean aroma in the bathroom, toss a sheet of fabric softener in the wastebasket. Or dab a bit of perfume on a light bulb. It floods the room with scent when the light is turned on.

Save those soap slivers! Mix them in the blender with some water and make your own liquid soap. Or collect them in an old nylon stocking and hang near an outside faucet for fast outdoors cleanup.

For clogged drains, use 1 cup baking soda, then 1 cup vinegar. As this solution foams, flush with at least 1 pint of boiling water.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Must Have Monday! Matchbox Cars


Who hasn't loved Matchbox Cars since they were children? Well, I have an extra love for them. Within my six children, 4 are boys. Matchbox Cars are an absolute lifesaver when it comes to an inexpensive reward for your child behaving while browsing the store. Selling at only 94 cents per car, you don't ever have to worry about emptying your wallet! It is also a nice way to begin a collection for your young one :)

Special Time Sunday! Fun with Fondue!


Our family visited The Melting Pot, our absolute fave restaurant that just happens to deal with fondue. This place is definitely for a special occasion as the prices are on the higher scale. So, how can you do fondue on the cheap end?

Most department stores (Walmart, Target, K-mart) sell fondue pots. Purchase one of these and have wonderful time with your loved ones.

For your appetizer, cheese! Melt some cheddar, etc... Dip raw veggies, tortilla chips, cubed bread and granny smith apples.

For dessert, chocolate!! Dip bananas, strawberries, marshmallows, graham crackers, pound cake, really anything that you love with chocolate!

A fun day with friends or family :)

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Swap a Recipe Saturday! St Patrick's Day Pot of Gold


Found this adorable St. Patrick's Day goodie on familyfun.com :)

St. Patrick's Pot of Gold

Surprise your favorite little people on March 17th with these wee emerald pots filled with sweet, edible gold.

Ingredients:

3-ounce box of lemon-flavor gelatin
6 limes
Sugar
1 teaspoon of whipped cream

Instructions:

Line an 8-inch square baking dish with plastic wrap, leaving several inches of overhang on each side (this will make removing the gelatin easier). Combine a 3-ounce box of lemon-flavor gelatin and 1 cup of boiling water in a medium bowl, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved. Stir in 1 cup of cold water, then pour the mixture into the baking dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and chill the gelatin for 4 hours or until firm, then slice the gelatin into 1/2-inch cubes.

Cut off the top quarter of each of 6 limes, then, without cutting into the fruit, slice a thin layer of peel from the bottom of each one to help them stand upright. With a small knife, cut around the inside of each lime's rind to loosen the pulp, then spoon it out to make a shell.

Place a pinch of sugar and 1 teaspoon of whipped cream in the bottom of each shell, then fill each lime pot with gelatin gold. Makes 6.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Saturday Blog Hopping!

These are the blogs I am following this Saturday:

Linda's Lunacy

Hop on over and meet new bloggers!

Frugal Friday! Scoop Up Online Coupons


It's "Frugal Friday", time for some savings :)

I found this small article in AllYou magazine, December 17, 2010 issue.

Scoop Up Online Coupons

Stop at these websites before heading to the checkout page.

KEYCODE.COM : Shop for bargain offers, discounts, coupons and more.

COUPONCABIN.COM : Search for consumer e-mail alerts, online forums, blogs, merchant sites and the Sunday newspapers for exclusive coupon codes that online retailers release to their special customers. The site also has a section for local coupons.

RETAILMENOT.COM : Find coupon codes for your favorite retailers, including local grocers.

SIMPLYBESTCOUPONS.COM : Browse product categories, deals, holidays, favorite stores and more for outstanding prices.

REDPLUM.COM : Hunt nationally and locally for coupons, prom codes and specials. The site also offers savings tips and strategies.

Things to Make Thursday! Homemade Garden Stepping Stone


Spring is moving right along...time for some more spring fun! Sorry, I am a day late on this posting.

Homemade Garden Stepping Stone

Mix a batch of cement and make your own homemade stepping stone to welcome visitors to your garden.
Copyright © 1999-2009 Susan Spatone All rights reserved.
Published with permission from CraftAtHome.com

Craft Supplies:

Cement
Patio Paint
Screening mesh
Mold (No need to buy a mold, a cake pan, large dish, etc., will work fine)
All purpose Craft Glue
Cooking Spray


Craft Project Instructions:

The amount of cement you need to mix will depend on the size of mold that you choose. This project needed about eight pounds of cement. The first thing you need to do is cut a piece of plastic or wire mesh in the shape of the mold.

To do this, place your form on top of a piece of mesh and with a craft knife or other cutting utensil, cut around the form. This is very important! Cement doesn't hold up as well as plaster when it comes to cracking and you need this extra support. Place your mesh over the mold to make sure it fits without any overhang.

Prepare your mold for filling by cleaning with a little dish soap, dry completely and spray with cooking spray or wipe cooking oil over the entire inside of the mold. This will allow for easy removal of your finished piece.

Now begin mixing the cement - first, add cement to a deep bucket or container, then gradually add water until the cement reaches a consistency that is not syrup but can be poured into your mold. Once you have completely mixed your cement, add some craft glue (about 1 tablespoon for every 2 cups of cement). The glue helps the mesh to bond better to the cement. Mix completely.

Pour the mixed cement into the mold until it is half full. Place your mesh on top of the poured cement and press the mesh gently into the cement. Now add more cement on top of the mesh until the mold is full.

VERY IMPORTANT!! Now that your mold is poured, do not move it! Moving it will cause the cement to crack. It's not maybe it will crack... It will!! Allow the cement to dry completely (follow package instructions for drying time) and then gently remove your piece from the mold.

Run a little warm water over your mold to remove any cement dust and oil that is sitting on the surface and allow it to dry.

Though you don't have to use patio paint... it's the best one for this project. Paint the finished stone. Allow to dry. This project was painted with grey paint and then a stencil was used to paint the design and the writing was done free hand (you could also use a stencil for the lettering). Allow to dry completely.

(this craft was found on allfreecrafts.com)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

What to do Wednesday! Teach your child some clapping games


Looking for things to do today? Try teaching your child some clapping games. Here is the original origin of and ways to play clapping games.

Due to the communication skills and coordination required, simple clapping games are age appropriate for children age 24 months and above.[1] In many cultures clapping games are played by both sexes and all ages, but in many European and European-influenced cultures, they are largely the preserve of young girls.[2]

Claps commonly included in patterns are clapping one's own hands, clapping both hands of a partner, and clapping one hand of a partner, generally across such as the right hand of each player. The clapping may include other activities such as thigh slapping, or a final move such as touching the ground and freezing.[3]

Clapping patterns may be used with only specific rhymes, generically with most rhymes, or improvised. Children in different areas may be more or less strict about which claps accompany which rhymes but generally different clapping patterns may be used to accompany different rhymes. The rhymes are generally very similar to a jump-rope rhymes. Some games are played without a rhyme, such as 'Slide', and not all require the players to clap each other's hands, such as 'Sevens.'

Clapping games are a part of oral tradition. As such there are a variety of distinct clapping games or families of games. A game may be performed or played in various versions found in different areas and times and often according to ethnicity. For example, 'Hello, Operator' may be called 'Missy Susie' or 'Miss Lucy' and may contain, omit, or vary verses or specific lines. Clapping patterns and actions may also vary. There is no canonical version of any game though children often fight over whose version is "right" or "real".

As per Wikipedia.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Tips Tuesday! Toilets and more...


Moving right along spring cleaning the bathroom...

Toilet

To remove toilet rings, flush to wet sides and apply a paste of borax and lemon juice. Let sit for 2 hours, then scrub. Or rub with a fine grade sandpaper (wet the sandpaper if the rings are very old).

For all-purpose cleaning, add 1/2 cup chlorine bleach to the bowl and let stand for 10 minutes. Scrub and rinse.

Ceramic Tile

Before you clean tile, run the shower at the hottest setting. The steam loosens the dirt and makes cleaning easier.

For light cleaning, mix 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup light vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 gallon of warm water.

For heavier cleaning, make a paste of baking soda and bleach. Scrub with a stiff brush and rinse thoroughly.

Lemon oil keeps tiles shinier longer and helps keep water stains from building up.

Fixture Cleaners

Try equal parts non-sudsing ammonia and water in a spray bottle.

For chrome faucets or fixtures, try rubbing alcohol for a super shine.

Grout

Dip an old toothbrush or nail brush (reserved only for this purpose) into bleach and scrub.

Or mix 3 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of warm water into a paste and brush.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Must Have Monday! Duncan Hines Glaze



This glaze is a lifesaver, not to mention delicious!! I always like to have a bottle of this in my pantry. Very quick to drizzle over any dessert surface. Reasonably priced and usually have coupons lurking around out there to get them even cheaper! These come in 2 flavors, vanilla and chocolate and are oh so yummy!! Pick up a bottle or two!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Special Time Sunday! Roast Marshmallows


Though it is dead center of the winter in some areas, it is still a perfect time to roast marshmallows!

Have a firepit that you didn't put away for the season? Nice way to stay warm on a cold day :)

How about your indoor fireplace? Toss on a log and make sure you supervise your children.

Have any unscented candles around? Try roasting over its tiny flame?

Fun anyway you choose as long as you are together as a family :)

Swap a Recipe Saturday! Rainbow Cupcakes



With St. Patty's Day fastly approaching, I thought I would post some cute food ideas!
This ideas was found on familyfun.com

Rainbow Cupcakes

It's not far to the gold at the end of this rainbow-topped Emerald Isle cupcake, just the thing for your lads and lasses on St. Patrick's Day.

Ingredients:

A cooled cupcake
Grass-green frosting
Several flavors of Airheads candies
A pot's worth of gold coins

Instructions:

To make one, first top a cooled cupcake (baked from your favorite recipe) with grass-green frosting.

For the rainbow, use a large, heavy knife (parents only) to cut a long, narrow strip from each of several flavors of Airheads candies (this is sticky stuff, so work on waxed paper). Lay the strips side by side, press them together, then cut the ribbon of strips in half to make two rainbows.

Curve each one into an arch and trim the ends as shown. Set one rainbow upright on the cupcake (save the other for another cupcake) and deposit a pot's worth of gold coins at one end. If necessary, place a gold coin behind the rainbow for support.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Frugal Friday! Mobile Coupons


Found this frugal tip in AllYou magazine, December 17, 2010 issue.

Sign Up for Mobile Coupons

Location-based aps send coupons to your phone for shopping at your favorite stores. Try these:

Foursquare (foursquare.com)

Loopt Star (loopt.com/looptstar)

Yowza (getyowza.com)