Ready.Set.Plan

Raspberry Picking

2011-09-23T08:45:00.001-07:00

I found this website online. A u-pick raspberry farm about an hour away from us.

I in-visioned this perfect fall evening. With happy children running up and down the rows, perfect fall weather, perfect lighting for pictures, ending in perfect fall family memories. Ha Ha!

It was memorable that is for sure. And fun in the end too.

But we were lost and driving frustrated around Payson for over an hour to find the farm. If you are going to go I recommend a map, and calling me first. We had directions of google, a smart phone with GPS and three phone calls to the farm itself and it still took us about a hour to find, and we were seconds from just going home. Lesson learned.

I am a Utah girl who always thinks I will just be able to find something from an address abra- cadabra. It never works.

We arrived and started picking. And withing about five minutes Marianne- who was in a front pack on me, pooped and peed all over the both of us. And silly me- having never had this happen with her, did not have clothes for either of us. Marianne ended up wearing a sweatshirt for pants, and I luckily had a sweatshirt in the car which covered the mess but was still disgusting.

Once we were cleaned up though we headed back out. Jake and the kids had already picked a few pounds of raspberries. We spent about an hour, and managed to pick 6lbs. And it was fun, finding good rows, and watching the children do such a great job, and the weather was perfect.

Six pounds though- Crazy Town!

This morning we turned about half of it into a year supply of freezer jam for us.

Fun fall traditions for the family I think.... but next year we will know where we are going and bring some extra clothes.

Closet Organizing with Shoe Racks

2011-09-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

I went a little crazy with organizers on Saturday.

I mean it.

I went back to Wal-mart two times to purchase more of them.

I was cleaning out closets on Saturday and this idea came in really handy.

They made my closets look oh so neat.

Seriously, who ever though to use shoe organizers for something other than shoes.

A great way to use up all that vertical space.

Plus the clear pockets make it easy to find everything.

Do you know how many times I have purchased fever reducer for the kids. Well I had like eight that were not expired hiding in the closet, that is not including several that were expired that I threw out.

Or how we seem to never be able to find tights for Katerade on Sunday morning when we need them, though I know they are in her underwear drawer somewhere.

Or how every time I open the pantry that box of plastic silverwear comes crashing down all over the floor.

Or how I don't even use the vacuum accessories because that would mean digging around the back of the hall closet.

Not any more

Me and my shoe organizers FOUR different ways make me feel like a genius.

A super organized genius.

Kid's Closet

What is inside?

swim diapers

water wings

swimsuits

dance clothes

tights

1 million hair bows

ties and bow ties

mittens

hats

and more hats
Bathroom Closet-

What is inside?

Bug Spray

Sunscreen

Ib profen

Baby nail clippers, snot suckers etc.

Kids fever reducer

Thermometers

Kids Vicks and Teething Ointment

Rubbing Alcohol and Hydorgen Peroxide with Cotten

Bandaids with Neosporin

Diaper Cream

Extra Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

Vitamins

Extra deodarant, contact solution and shampoo

cleaning supplies

This closet is of course closet with a child proof handle

Pantry-

What is inside?

Trash bags

grocery sacks to reuse

Straws

Spice packs

Plastic Utensils

Plastic Cups

Snacks

Potty Treats
Coat Closet-

What is inside?

Diapers and Wipes- so we don't always have to run upstairs

Running watches and accesories

Vaccuum cleaner accesories

Umbrellas

Curtain tie-backs

Lots of empty pockets for stuff I think up later

And actually some shoes.

Pudding Pops- Keeping Summer Going

2011-09-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

I'm just starting to feel like myself again.

And it turns out I totally missed summer.

Well there is no reason just because it is fall, I can't still serve summer-ish treats.

After all, I missed summer being pregnant and nursing a newborn round the clock.

Today we tried out these pudding pops I've been seeing around the blog world

Simple as can be really.

Things you need.

-Your favorite flavors of instant pudding. 3 packages of pudding made 8 pops.

-Small sized plastic cups

-Craft sticks

Then you just make your pudding. I used chocolate, butterscotch and vanilla, and layer it however you like into the cups. Don't wait for the pudding to set up, just mix it, and start layering. Stick in a craft stick and let them freeze for five or so house.

Then just pull them out of the cups (make sure they are good and frozen otherwise you'll just be pulling sticks out), and serve them up.

These were a big hit with the adults in this house, even more so than the kids.

I have about 4 more in my freezer even after serving them tonight and I intend to eat them through out the week and pretend like it is summer 'round here just for a few more days.

Church Quiet Book

2011-08-31T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've been gone for a while now.

That is because I have THREE kids now. All four and under.

Our sweet new peanut arrived mid-Aug to a very exhausted me.

She is about as perfect as can be.

Sideboard Refurbish- a Long Time Coming.

2011-07-06T13:40:00.001-07:00

I have been working on...

or meaning to work on this sideboard since November.

It sat in the basement for a while. Meanwhile we actually finished the basement and she took up residence in the garage, and my husband had to park in the driveway.

And that is a sad state of affairs at our house because it is a pet peeve of our household when people can't manage to park their cars in their garage.

She finally got finished up last week.

Here is what she looked like when I got her.

I found her at the local thrift store where they were asking $100. I talked them down to $80 seeing as how somebody had cruely cut off two of her feet.

After lots of clean up, putty and sanding, the top was taped off and got four coats of stain.

It could not have turned out prettier, and I almost wished I would have stained the whole thing.

Though I doubt those beat up legs could have ever come out so smoothly.

The majority of the piece got high gloss Behr Creamy White paint left over from trim painted in the basement. I know some funky emerald green paint would have made people swoon, but I wanted it to be classic and I didn't want to have to repaint it in a year or two when trends change.

Because it took hours and hours and hours to paint.

HOURS.

Even my husband pitched in to help, as his 8 month pregnant wife while sat on the cement garage floor trying to finish the project.

I tried to cover the piece in KILZ first but it did nothing for it.

I ended up having to paint and sand and paint again five or six coats of the white paint.

The handles were spray painted rustoleum hammered metal.

again- before

After.

You could call this another before picture as well. This was the old tv stand, with the old tv.
Though the black stand had been functional and well enough looking for the past 8 years, I am not sure Shopko furniture is meant to be used that long. I actually took it to Savers to try to donate it and they wouldn't take it. Sad sad sad.

Sweet Thank You Gifts

2011-06-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

I whipped out these thank you gifts yesterday for an upcoming event.
I thought you might like the idea.
They ended up being about $1.80 a piece.

What you need

4 oz mason jars
1/3 yard muslin
lots of honey
ribbon or rafia-

and this free graphic from the Graphics Fairy printed on cardstock

I took mine into photoshop and added the words
"BEE-cause you are so SWEET"

Then I just filled the jars with honey, cut a square of muslin, cut out the graphic, assembled and tied it up with a bow.

I know I would love this as a favor or hostess gift-
And I love that I could whip 12 out and have them on a shelf all ready in the need of a thank you, instead of what I usually do- which is bake something so I can bring a gift as I need something..
In fact I think I will whip up 12 more for my own personal stash of thank you's.

I love giving a thank you too that is not a treat- but something the recipient would store and use.
and not just ruin their good eating habits with.

I hope you like them!

Two Pies for Dinner

2011-06-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend on my sister-in-laws Idaho farm.
The kids had a blast feeding the animals, driving tractor, and most of all running around with 6 cousins.

Other than good memories :)
we came home too many brown farm fresh eggs. 36 of them to be exact.

And in an effort to use some of them up I made quiche for dinner.
I found this recipe here on allrecipes.com. for a Spinach Quiche.
It had received 4.5 stars.
And other than a minor adjustment.... the adding of 5 more eggs, it was created for my family tonight.
And the recipe was actually enough for two pies. I find that is almost always the case with pie recipes.

It turned out.
or so I thought.
Until we went to eat it and I saw my husband not eating. nor my daughter.
I asked if it was alright. I was on my second slice.

They went ahead and made themselves turkey sandwiches instead.
It is the 1st meal I have prepared for my husband in eight years that he didn't end up eating.
It is mostly funny.

I decided with the other pie crust and left over cream, I would make some dessert after we spent the evening working in the yard.
It was reviewed by the family much more positively than the Spinach Quiche.

Nutella Pie.

I found that recipe here.

I changed it up a bit.
here are the directions.

NUTELLA PIE

1 9-inch pie crust, unbaked
1 box brownie mix (or homemade)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup semi- sweet chocolate chips
1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make brownie batter as directed on the box and pour into a prepared pie crust. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Using a mixer, whip the cream, sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Transfer to another bowl and set aside.
In the same mixer bowl, mix Nutella and cream cheese until well combined. Spoon in 1/3 of the whipped cream and gently fold in. Repeat with remaining whipped cream- be careful not to stir- it won’t be as light and fluffy. Chill the mousse until the brownie layer is completely cooled.
When the pie is cooled, spread the Nutella mousse evenly over the brownie layer. Drizzle with melted semi sweet chocolate.

Step 4 in Preparedness- Fire Safe

2011-06-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

I'm posting now for a food storage company, and I thought I would share what I am posting for them with you as well.

Preparedness is a big task.
But not if you take small steps.
I like to think that the first steps are.
1. Basic 1st Aid Kit.
2. Some water Storage (maybe 5 gallons a person)
3. 72 Hour Kit
4. Fire Safe.

That is what I am talking about today.
I was given a fire safe similar to this for Christmas a few years ago.
and was delighted.

It happily holds my hard drive and a 3 ring binder with all our original important documents.

It is not the best safe out there clearly, but it is what we have for now, and I'm happy we have something.

If I was to get a new one though, I think I might get this

The digital lock gives you no need to store keys in several places or a safe deposit box.
It is water proof in addition to being fire proof, and it has a one hour time fram safety and integrity of discs and drives inside during a fire like many. It is larger than my current safe in cubic feet, so I think you could still get all the same contents inside and hopefully a little more. It contains file hangers and a key rack too. You program in your own code, and it does come with an override key you can store in a separate location in the event your panel malfunctions. To top it off, the safe floats in the event of flooding or water from fire rescue.

Right now it has free shipping from that link above.
Like!

Get it and you'll be done with Step 4.
Not that I have all the steps laid out....
maybe I should.
Step 5 :Car emergency bag
Step 6:: 3 months complete expenses saved
Step 7:.....???

What do you think steps of preparedness in order of importance might be?
Do you have a fire safe you like... or that has even saved your stuff?

Kids Bedroom Makeover- Woodland Creatures

2011-06-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

The finished kids room. After
With a new baby on the way, and only two kids rooms upstairs our 4 year old girl and 2 year old boy needed to share a room. This meant moving Sam to a big boy bed, getting them to sleep in the same room, and combining what I had of the two rooms into one common gender neutral theme.

Kate's room before . It had actually changed a lot from this photo of the nursery we brought her home too in 2007- well it had a dresser and a daybed instead of the crib. But the decor and bedding were still the same.

Samuel's nursery. It had actually changed quite a bit too since this photo. But the idea is the same except we had added a bunch of Dr. Suess stuff. I am sad now that we didn't photograph the children's bedrooms more before we took them apart.
I came up with making the room into a woodland creature sort of room based on trying to use things we already had and not wanting to paint.
The kids bedding was down in the guestroom and it was brown and white polka dots. The walls in the room were white and green. I knew we had a wide collection of stuffed animals and rocks around. Sounds like a forest to me.
We started off with taking the bunk beds that were downstairs in the guest room and painting them with some paint left over from the basement banister. It took us several nights to get all the nooks and corners painted, but in the end they look shiny and new..ish.
Reading corner. One of the best things about the new room is that there are no toys in it. That means that even on its worst day, the room only takes a few minutes to clean. They do have a large selection of books in the bookshelf that I refinished last year. As well as an ottoman that was in Sam's room that they use to reach the top books.
I like that the room is colorful. Brown, green, red and a dark turquoise.
Kate's bed and shelf. That gnome was one of the splurge purchases of the room. At all of seven dollars. But I think it fits well
Sam's bed and shelf.
Dresser topped with more stuffed woodland creatures, woodland creature print and plant. Sam has really taken to owls since Dad put the one outside to scare off the birds. All the prints I got off google images and just printed them on my home computer. They look great considering. Then I spray painted a bunch of dollar store frames dark turquoise with some spray paint I had from another project.
One of the biggest tasks for the room was combining two children into one closet and one dresser. Obviously things aren't perfect, but it is in and somewhat organized. All the baskets are from Sam's former nursery.
Each kid has a personalized woodland alphabet above their bed. I'm getting pretty good at making whatever I want on photoshop, including art I see other people have made.
Each kid has a shelf. I filled them with their memory boxes, a woodland creature picture, special books, blocks, jars of pinecones and rocks, and stuffed animals.

Cost breakdown.
Blue Curtains- $19.99 at Ikea
Wood underbed Storage boxes- $9.99 each
6 frames from Dollar Store- $6
One gnome- $6.99
Shelf from Ikea- $11.00

Total $63.96

And a good third of that is just in storage boxes not decor.

I'm really pleased at how the room came together just by shopping our house and leftover paint supply.
I'm even more pleased that Sam is now a big boy who sleeps in his bed all by himself for night and naps without complaint. He never gets out. Just yesterday we heard him awake and talking almost an hour later after we had put him in bed, but he never comes out because we threaten him with having to go sleep back in his crib. He doesn't want that. He loves getting to share a room with his sister. Bonus his big sister wasn't sad one bit to give up her pink girly room to share a big kids room with her brother. The two of them are best friends and love their new room.

On to another new nursery.
Yup my 3rd to create in four years.
We are crazy.

Nesting

2011-06-06T10:49:00.001-07:00

Perhaps you remember this post see #6.

Where I gave you the play by play of us trying to get the birds to stop pooping all over our entry.
We ended up accidentally drowning several baby birds, getting attacked by a pack of adult birds, and eventually armored our column with 50 or so long nails to prevent future problems.

We thought that was the end of the story too.
Until yesterday evening- when we peeked outside and found a very large nest.
It had been built at the top of the column- within a three or four day period.... right on top of the nails- even using the nails for support.
Shocked!

It really is quite beautiful.
And we debated what we should do.
Clearly a mother bird was preparing this home for the eggs she would soon lay.
Jake was refusing to get it down.
Not because he felt bad for the birds, but because he refused to be attacked by the barn swallows like last time.
After much debate I had him get the ladder. I climbed up. And removed the nest from its location by the front door.
I was surprised by its weight. Easily 4lbs. And its intricacy. Mud caked outside. Softer straw in the inside. Strong sticks woven in and out of the nails using them as support.
I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. I placed it as close as I could to its original location in a large bush hoping its creator would find it. But I don't think she did. I saw her looking forlorn and lost on the garage gutter later that night.
Being about to bring a baby into the world, it almost makes me cry that I destroyed this mother's hard work.
I am reminded of myself- 9 months pregnant with Kate staying up until 2:00 am determined to finish the bedding I was sewing for her room.
I am reminded of just how much work I have spent for this new child, cleaning and organizing its soon to be room, and clothes, and things. The fabric I special ordered for a quilt for her.
And I know it is just a bird. A barn swallow we can't rid our house of despite drastic measures. A bird who tries to fly in the house, and leaves poop all over the sidewalk and entry.
But I still almost couldn't do it.
I did though. I left her with no place to lay her eggs, no safe place for her babies to be born.
And I feel pretty awful about it.

Of course now in what apparently is prime barn swallow real estate- we have placed this tacky owl, so thwart future attempts of nesting.
In the end I am not sure what is worse, all the bird poop, or this owl that looks like we forgot to take down one of our Halloween decorations.
Hopefully it scares off the birds from now on, so I don't have anymore moral issues on my hands concerning whether or not I can ruin all another mother's nesting.

Photoshop Actions- By Pioneer Woman

2011-06-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

How this blog post was published almost a year ago, and I just found it is one sad thing.
Pioneer Woman is a saint.
Well I don't actually know that. But if the standards for sainthood were somehow contingent upon free photoshop tutorials, she'd be a shoe in.
I just downloaded like 14 free actions for free, including a "bring out the eyes" an editing skill that I have attempted, and only been marginally successful at before now.

Go find the post if you care about that sort of thing yourself.
My pictures editing time just got cut in half.
Thanks PW.

Free Food Storage!

2011-05-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

Yup,
You heard me right!

You may have noticed my, blog is back to preparedness basics lately, and less about crafts and shopping and other things like that. Really the reason is, I am still working on redecorating a kids room, a new nursery, a new living room, and a basement. Taking all four of these rooms on at once really has me doing a lot of projects, but not finishing much. I am close though with some of the rooms and will share that soon. In fact all I need to do is hang one shelf in a kids room, and it will be complete. Thank goodness.

In the mean time, spring clean out means for us, reorganizing and inventory of 72 hour kits, water storage and food storage. As if we needed more projects around here.

Lucky for me, I just got 12 meals of free food storage- dehydrated real meals like Chicken and Rice Casserole and Tortilla Soup for free.
These packets are perfect for filling 72 hour kits baby.

All I had to do was enter my info and pay the shipping.
It came in two days.
The best part, nobody ever called or emailed me to follow up on the product and try to sell me more.
I've done these offers before with other companies and they always do a follow up call. Not this time.
Though I did buy more, because it is pretty reasonably priced, and you can only get the 12 meals for free.

Go here to get yours.

Click on "Take the Food Freedom Tour" on the left hand side.
Then you will get your free meals.

Gotta love things that are free.

72 Hour Kit Revisited- Solar Power Cell Phone Charger

2011-05-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

I revisited our 72 hour kit this past week.
It had been a little too long, mostly because of the basement remodel.
It was disassembled, then reassembled with new things.
Luckily most everything in the kit was still good, the only replacement items I needed were food items, water, and sunscreen because it had also expired.
I went ahead and added some more cash too, because I had some left over from a recent vacation.

It really only took about 20 minutes at the store and home to collect new items and place them in our backpack.

The one thing I don't have in my bag yet is this

A solar charge for (most any) cell phone.

I found this
one on Amazon. It is the best rated charger and at only $29.99, maybe I should just go ahead already. The biggest complaint consumers have with it is that solar power- in general will only charge your phone to about 50%.
But hey my phone is usually only 50% charged anyways because I always forget to plug it in at night and let it go for three days without charging.
Most the reviews of the charger are glowing!
Also it can use solar power, or be plugged in to any computer to get power- two options is always better than one in an emergency.
It also has an LED light that people raved about too as an extra.

How about any of you?
Do you have a solar power charger for your cell phone?
Do you have one for your car and one for your 72 hour kit.... like I want.

Water Storage- a simple plan

2011-05-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

I took on the chore of changing out the water storage today. It was a silly day to do it too because it rained all day and instead of using all the old water to water the lawn or fill a kiddie pool, it just got dumped down the sink. Silly!

Water storage can be so easy.
I remembered that I wanted to put new water in all the containers when I came home from the grocery store with what will soon be more containers. If you are anything like my family of four, you come home with two bottles of juice (for my kids) and two 2 liters of diet soda (for me and the husband) each week. My kids kind of love juice and we kind of love diet soda, over ice, for our evening snack.
Hey it is better than ice cream.

Back to the storage.
It has been so simple to build up our water storage.
Each week I just rinse with dish soap the juice containers. I wash them inside and out and remember to wash the lid. Then I fill them with new water, and store them.

It is recommended to store a 2 week supply of water at the very least. That is 1 gallon of water per person per day. We have a few large 10 gallon storage containers of water, but most of our water storage is juice containers and 2 liter bottles. And each week (I try to remember) not to throw the bottles out, but fill them for storage. The collection is getting fairly large, though we don't have much more than our two week supply- and it took me most the evening to do this project.
I believe my system will get even easier with time. When I have around 100 gallons stored, then I will stop refilling, date my water and then just replace the oldest four with the new four each week. That way my containers are newer and I will never have to replace all the water in one day. It will only take me a minute each week to keep the supply always new.
Well I think it is a good plan anyway.

A few more tips to keep your water storage safe with this simple plan.
-You don't have to add bleach if you water is chlorinated... and most tap water is.
-Make sure you are using juice and 2 liter bottles- not other containers or milk cartons that could deteriorate and pollute your water.
-Be sure to not store the water containers on the cement as chemicals can seep into your water supply. If you want to store the water in your basement just throw a piece of cardboard or plywood down underneath.
-Make sure your storage is not stored in an area with too much light or heat.
-Rotate the water out at least once a year.... but maybe be smart and do it on a day when your lawn or garden could use the old water.

Want to calculate how fast you can get your two weeks storage just by filling empty food grade containers.

Our family empties 2 juice containers and 2 2 liter bottles of soda each week. We may be heavy drinkers :)
but I think this is close to average.
1 juice bottle and 1 2 little bottle = almost exactly 1 gallon.
which means we are adding 2 gallons of stored water to our storage each week.
Our family of four needs aprox 54 gallons to meet a 2 week requirement-
54 gallons /2 gallons per week means in 28 weeks your family of four could have water storage for 2 weeks too.

Nutella Muffins

2011-05-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

image from here

I found this recipe over on Pinterest.

I knew I would make them. My kids love Nutella. They ask for Chocolate on their sandwiches sometimes. They think this Nutella makes a chocolate sandwich. Well it pretty much does.

These muffins gave us a new use for the Hazelnut spread and a delicious breakfast.

Preheat oven to 325.
Makes a dozen.

1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup canola or mild vegetable oil
3/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4-1/2 cup Nutella, at room temperature

Beat butter, oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
Mix dry ingredients together
Spoon mixture into muffin tin- greased or lined.
Place 1 tablespoon of Nutella on top, swirl in with bamboo skewer or candy making stick.

Bake for 25 minutes.

2 acres IS what I dream of

2011-05-07T10:32:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this graphic?

I found it here.
I claims to you need at least 2 acres to support a family of four on a mixed diet of grains, veggies, proteins, etc. It is pretty discouraging when you think I just put our 2- 12 ft by 5 ft garden in last night. Not only was it tons of work. It hardly would make a dent in supplying what we need if there wasn't a grocery store 5miles away.

Good thing there is food storage I guess!

2011-04-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about pinterest yet?
It is just what it sounds like- a place to pin your interests. A virtual cork board.
No more bookmarking, and no more intentions to print stuff out and keep it in a file.

I have been wanting something like it for some time.
Now I can always find that project I saw on a blog once that I wanted to try, or buy that dress I saw but wasn't ready to spend the money on yet. I have more recently been using it as a place to store my decorating ideas for the living room.

If you spend time browsing the internet, and you want to be able to find stuff you found once before you need a pinterest account.

You can check out my boards here
Or go here to create your own

2nd Round of Playroom Planning

2011-04-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

chevron fabric
green fabric
walmart rug
canvas bins
posters
curtains

We finished painting the new basement playroom Now that the yellow is on the walls, I am reconsidering my decor from before. I think I like this new palate better. What say you?

Play Room Inspiration

2011-03-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

The playroom in the basement is almost finished.
And by finished I mean framed, wired, sheetrocked, mudded, textured and on its way to be painted.
I can hardly wait to move the toys in.
And I lay awake at night... mostly due to pregnancy insomnia.... thinking about the decor.
My dreams really include making the children leave for the entire day, and setting the whole thing up so they can come downstairs to a magical room of toys and fun.
It is more likely to be created, ordered and assembled piece by piece though.

I am mostly posting about it because I want to see the ideas all together, and maybe I will think about something else as I lay awake in bed all night instead.

Some bunting like this made from fabric scraps combined with some vintage flashcards I have.
Kidkraft play kitchen

Rug from Ikea I already have
Fabric from Spoonflower
Fabric from spoonflower

Spoonflower fabric
For pillows and curtains.

Carnival prints form this etsy shop
or maybe I can take my own.
and maybe with this wall map

Ikea bookcase- in black/ brown

Homemade Lip Beauty Products- w/ Free Printable

2011-03-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

I've been buying chapstick almost every time I go to the store this pregnancy.
Nothing like not being able to drink water to make your lips cracked and dry.
--it makes me throw up.... every time.. no really :(

So I've been experimenting making my own lip goods.
And it has been fun and delicious.
I have created three recipes so far and thought I would pass along my knowledge.

Fruity Lip Balm

2 tablespoons Vaseline

1 drop food coloring

2 drops fruit flavoring

Boil pot of water. Put Vaseline in zip lock bag add color and smash until mixed. Place bag in boiling water until liquid.

remove from water. Open bag and drop in fruit flavoring. Over container, snip corner of bag and empty balm into container.

You can find the right kind of flavoring at most serious party stores or specialty food stores. I found a fabulous four pack of citrus flavors at my local party store Orson Gygi for $2.50 You can find them on Amazon even. Just look for something like this. Lorann makes so many delicious kinds, like Cotton Candy, Pina Colada, and Baverian Cream. So buy them on Amazon if you can't find them anywhere else, or you are looking for a great selection.
You can also go to the LorAnn Oils website where you can get over 66 different kinds for $1.40 a dram- which is more than enough to make 10 or so of the same flavor. Their selection is ridiculous. I mean Horchata, Banana Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip! Of course something more traditional for a lip balm is available too if your not wanting anything too craz:, Strawberry, Apricot, or Peppermint.
The tins are 2 in tins from the wedding favors section. At Michael's they were 19.99 for 30 count, but with a 40% coupon that is not so bad. If you are only making one of two you could use an empty lip balm container you already have.
I of course coordinated the color with the flavor.
Example- the pink is grapefruit and the green is lime, but you don't have to I guess.
Of all the lip products I made, these are my favorite. They smell the BEST!
Also their shelf life is well beyond that of the others.
And yup- it is basically colored- flavored, Vaseline.... but make some and tell me it doesn't seem like a whole lot more.

Cocoa Lip Balm

1 tablespoon vaseline

1 tablespoon shortening

1 - 2 teaspoons cocoa powder (see what you can mix in smoothly)

Melt vaseline and shortening in microwave until liquid. About 1 min. mix in cocoa powder

Place in container

Vanilla Lip Scrub

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon cream honey

3 drops vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients then scoop into container

I was going for something like this- which I own and love for this last one. It is more of a lip polish. Put it on and wipe it off with a tissue... and try not to just eat it.

Cream honey may be more of a local product... but it is Miller Brand. It is sold just next to the regular honey, in a tub. If you can't find it, you could likely omit it, it really only makes the mix not so translucent.

Of course you are going to need some labels.

Seriously these smell so good you'll want to put them on ten times a day.

linking up here

Welcome Spring- Yarn Wreath

2011-03-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

I just heard on a morning show, that yarn was in.
Well that means I've been "in" for a while I guess.
I made this last fall, and this for winter,
and still was not sick of yarn on my front door.
So I imagined up a nice Spring wreath in similar funky yarn fashion.
The colors might seem to you a combination your grandmother used in her guest room,
but it is that thrift store find feel I find very pleasing about it.

Then I waited patiently for March 1, to come so I could feel justified in adorning my entrance in pastels and spring blossoms despite the fact we are expected to get 10 inches of snow this afternoon.

You can go here for a basic tutorial of a yarn wreath.
I'll warn you, I can smell the mass amounts of hot glue used through these pictures.

Enchillada Soup- Gluten Free, but Yummy For Everyone

2011-02-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

Enchillada Soup- Gluten Free

1 can Swanson (gluten free) chicken broth
1/2 can La Victoria (gluten free) green enchillada sauce
1/2 chopped onion
3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
3 cloves garlic pressed
1/2 teas. cumin
1/2 teas. dried oregano
1 1/2 cup sour cream
1 can corn
1 can black beans
2 cans white beans

1 can diced tomatoes- optional

As always my directions are.....
Throw everything in the crock pot on low for a few hours.
Top with cheese, avocados, more sour cream, even gluten free tortilla chip crumbs if you've got them.

It is spicy, creamy and warm.
His Majesty says it is like salsa soup.... in a good way.
I made it for lunch hoping we could eat it for dinner too, and I think I may need to make something else because we've almost emptied the pot.

I shared in my last post that our family is attempting to be a gluten free household.
We are coming to the end of two weeks now, and my mind has finally adjusted to be able to cook gluten free without a recipe. It has taken me a while to figure out what I can and can't use. Turns out gluten is in everything!
One of the biggest challenges that we have found so far is finding dishes that are satisfying to us adults in the family, especially with one of those adults (me) being a pregnant women who is always starving.
I came up with this for lunch today and everyone enjoyed, most especially the adults.
(I may or may not have eaten 4 bowls!)
I thought I would post my recipe since I hadn't seen anything like it on some of the gluten free websites I've been visiting and I am sure there are other families searching for gluten free choices everyone wants to eat.
I must admit that when I started I was actually trying to replicate my sisters white chicken chili, but didn't have her recipe, nor all the ingredients I remembered eating in hers.
It didn't turn out to really be white chicken chili, but it did turn out delicious.

Enjoy!

Long Time No.....Blog

2011-02-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

I have been most obviously absent from this little blog of mine for some time.
The last few months have brought about some changes for our little family and the blog got the back seat.
The changes mostly being that I am pregnant with our third child.
We couldn't be more excited about adding to our family.
But I couldn't be more sick.
You can read more about the adventures of me fainting, puking and being completely miserable here if you want. But I doubt you do.
Also we have been directed even more recently to feed out children a gluten free diet as they both are showing symptoms of being gluten sensitive. Any extra time I might have scrounged for myself to blog by buying our bread from the grocery store and serving them Spagetii O's for lunch has now been donated to preparing fresh and special foods for the family.

I will return someday.
Hopefully with the amazing kids bedroom makeovers, a new nursery and finished basement that are in the works to be finished by May 1.

Until our lives our back to some kind of normal

Better After Bath

2010-12-03T12:59:00.000-08:00

I'm over at BetterAfter today with my bathroom remodel. Go take a look!

A little thirfting is always nice

2010-12-03T07:11:00.001-08:00

$3.99 for the pair. Blond haired girls always fit in with my decor. Plus I love old Christmas stuff.
German Chocolate Cake Plate- $3.49. I love the little german children on top. I can't decide if this will go to my own serving ware or my sisters vintage etsy site- Thrifted Sister.
$0.99 mod serving tray. This will likely end up over at Thrifter Sisters.
$0.46 a piece- these soup bowls will be perfect for my Under $1 present for one of my siblings- namely my 22 year old brother who has been making stew on his own for his own consumption since he was 6 years old.

{Each year instead of drawing names for a sibling, we buy for each person. The rule is you can't spend more than $1. You can give anything you already own, anything you got for free, or anything your purchased for less than $1. It is so much fun seeing what good stuff everyone finds for a dollar. I am anxious to share the rest of my $1 finds, but I believe the siblings receiving other gifts may just read this blog and see so it will have to wait}
A {grundle} of books ranging in price from $.046 to $0.99. Plus one was free. I can never get enough books for my kids, they love them.... and destroy them.
For the little miss- A light weight purple pea coat, and light weight red ARIEL jacket "sure to please", some Carters pants, and a silver puffy vest from GAP. Coming in around $11.00 for the four items.
This shirt for Sam was $4.00, and a Walmart brand which I usually won't buy 2nd hand- but it still had the tags on it and I thought he would look like a charmer in it.
And lastly this American Eagle turtle neck in great shape for me for $3.29.
I thought turtle necks were out, but then I got me one this fall and have decided they are very much in.

A Little Self Publicity Never Hurt Me

2010-12-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

I recently had a little feature on the blog Sensibly Styled talking about what to wear for holiday photos.
Of course I don't know much really.
But I pretend to.
Plus perhaps I have seen what works and what doesn't more than some, at least from a photographers point of view.
Go check out the feature
Then check out my real photography site just for fun.
crystalfreemanphotography.com

Christmas Yarn Wreath

2010-12-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

It is starting to look a lot like Christmas around here.
In addition to the two or three feet of snow we've had , we've been decking the halls etc. etc.
In love with my summer/ fall wreath and sad to see it ago, I made a Christmas/ winter wreath in similar form.

You can go here to see a basic tutorial on my last yarn wreath.
The difference with this one was that instead of the felt flowers, I made only pom poms, and of course in cooperated winter colors.

Might I add that I think it is in now way boring that a yarn wreath adorn my front door year round. I kind of love them.

$2.45 for Custom Pottery Barn Stockings.

2010-11-30T09:33:00.000-08:00

How do you get the traditional Pottery Barn Stockings with each family members name embroidered on the cuff for under $2.45 though they are normally $15.00 a piece?

First you name your children traditional names, commonly requested by people ordering stockings.
Ha!

Then you go to Down East during one of the Spring Clearance Sales and dig through literally 400 stockings until you find a stocking bearing the name of a family member. I actually found "Sam", "Jacob" and "Kate", though I left the Kate because it was pink and did not match the others which were red, green and white. I did find two blank stockings that did match the others that needed some minor repair. I bought all of them for a grand total of .80 cents. If you don't want to bother to do the math, I'll do it for you, because you must see what a great deal this is. $0.20 a piece.
Ridiculous right?
Of course $0.20 seems like an appropriate price for a stocking with somebody else's name on it.
I think this is what you get when you name your kids (and have a husband who was named) something traditional.

The two blank stockings I took to the local printing shop and had "Kate" and "Crystal" but on them for $9.00.

In this picture the "Jacob" is the Pottery Barn custom and the "Crystal" is my local print shop. I chose different font for each stocking so they each were a little different.

I am beyond pleased with my deal.
Now we just have to wait for Santa to come fill them.

Tradition and Recipe Link Up

2010-11-20T19:54:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you about my new Raspberry Truffle Pie Reciepe
a couple of traditions we have around this house
Then please tell me about yours by linking up at the bottom.

How to Make a Raspberry Truffle Pie

...because I promise you want to.

Step 1: Let your three year old daughter help you sew an apron because it is actually kid date night, and this is what she has chosen to do..."sew like a mom"
Kid Date Night is a tradition we have on Thursday every month we each take a kid and do something they want to do for one on one time. Kate got sewing and cooking- but she has been begging me to make and apron for her that is her size. Sam and Dad went and drove the tractor around outside together.

Step 2: Melt 1 large bar (10 squares ) of Ghiradelli Semi Sweet Chocolate finely chopped with 1 cup of Whipping Cream in the microwave for 60 seconds. Stir and microwave additional 20 seconds until smooth.
Pour in ready made chocolate Oreo pie crust. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Step 3: One the truffle bottom has set up (4 hours or so later) layer on top 2 cups of raspberries. For your shopping help that is almost 2 of the small cartons they sell at the store.

Here Kate shows you what that step looks like.

Step 4: In the Microwave for 20 seconds heat, 6 tablespoons seedless raspberry preserves, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon of water.

Here Kate shows you what this step looks like.

Take and intermission from pie making because Kate has decided we should also sew a Christmas purse for her. Okay Kate, it is your Date Night.

Wrap silverware with "EAT-PIE" labels for annual pre-Thanksgiving Pie Palooza.
This is another tradition we have. The weekend before Thanksgiving we invite all the neighbors over. Each family brings their favorite pie to share. A prize for the best pie is awarded. Everyone has their fill of pie before they are too full to eat all the delicious pie on Thanksgiving Day. We throw a lot of parties, but this is one of my favorites because it is so low key and easy, and everyone loves it.

Step 5: Top with homemade whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
I beat 1 cup of whipping cream, 2 tablespoons of sugar and a tsp of vanilla until light and fluffy (and delicious) for mine, then topped with more Ghiradelli Choclate bits.

Okay now it is your turn to share.
What are some holiday recipes or traditions your family has?
Be sure to link back to the post so everyone can see all the fun.

Wool Felt Flower Pins {Fossil Knock Off}

2010-11-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

I saw these in my Fossil catalog last week.
They were something I liked, but that hardly comes as a surprise.
The price appeared reasonable even at $15.
But I thought that was for 3. When I went online I found they were $15 for 1.
Who are they kidding.

I thought I could make one myself.
I was right.
And it literally only cost me $0.35.

I cut 6 or 8 circles out of felt. I traced some cups and lids, but then found it was easier just to make one circle and use it as a guide to cut out a circle just a bit bigger.

I stacked the circles on top of one another.
Then I cut slits all the way around each circle.
Then I sewed a pin on the back- nearer the top then the middle to prevent floppiness.

I think they look just like the FOSSIL ones online.

It looks like I just created an awesome under $1 gift.
Accessorize a sweater or your hair and your are ready for a holiday party.
How perfect would these be used as the bow on a gift for your sisters or girl friends?
Re-useable wrapping? Now that is what I am talking about.

Linking up

Thrifty Find- Sideboard

2010-11-15T20:46:00.000-08:00

Last weekend my husband was packing for another camp out with the scout troop. Packing his sleeping bag, extra clothes, the food I had purchased for them at Coscto... and my nice pots. This happens often, and sometimes I end up not getting them back. So together we decided I would run to the Catholic Thrift Store to see if I could round up some for them to have permanently. I didn't find any.
But I did find this.
$100 and I couldn't convince myself to buy it.
I thought about it all night long.
And then I was in line before the Catholic Thrift Store even opened for the 1st time in my life hoping it was still there the next morning.
And it was.
I sat there for a second, noticed more flaws then I had remembered, contemplated how I would get it home, then offered $80.
And they went for it.

She needs some work no doubt.

Somebody cut off two of her feet even. Who does that?

But I think she will clean up very nicely.
I think some walnut stain on top, hammered bronze spray to the pulls and creamy white to the body perhaps glazed over and distressed a bit.
But I am not sold on that if you have any better ideas?
She is too large to just stay all wood stain I think.

I have searched high and low but have only been able to find the stamp "buffet no. 98" across the back.
I want to know more about her. Does anyone have any ideas?

Vintage Pearl Giveaway via Brown Paper Packages

2010-11-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

The lovely Kierste over at BROWN PAPER PACKAGES
are hosting a giveaway I know you are interested in.

$50 for one lucky reader to everyone's favorite the vintage pearl
with 3 ways to win.

Go check it out here
you can let them know I sent you too.

$1 Project- Modern Lodge Art

2010-11-05T15:21:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a few pieces for my bedroom.

I found these at the Deseret Industries. $1 for one and .75c for the other. Go figure.

Some antique white spray paint over the frames.
Some avocado spray paint over the red velvet mats- which turned them brown.
Some deer silhouettes made by the help of google images and photoshop.

I found this mirrored vanity tray for $1 at Deseret Industries as well. It was bronze and got the same spray paint treatment as the frames. It helped complete the set.

linking up

$1 Project- Graphic Soap Dispensers

2010-11-04T08:38:00.001-07:00

Cute soap don't you think?
I found these white ceramic soap dispensers at the Dollar Store the other day.
When I bought them I thought I might just fill them with soap and place them in both the upstairs bathrooms where we just have the plastic one use (but I keep refilling them anyway) kind.

Then I thought I should give them a bit of personality.

What you will need-
Foam brush
Mod Podge
Scissors
Soap Dispenser
Graphic- I made mine in about 1 minute on Photoshop.

What do do-
1. Create and Print Graphic.
2. Cut out graphic.
3. Mod Podge graphic onto soap dispenser.

Yup that is it.
I am a bit worried they might not hold up to tons of water, but if they look horrible in 6 months or so, I can always make more again for $1 each.

I went with a hand washing graphic in blue for the kid's bathroom- they could use the extra instruction, and for our bathroom the roman numeral four- for the four of us.

$1 Project- Paper Wreath

2010-11-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

I had seen these over blog land for some time. I wanted to try my hand at mine- and maybe make it more detailed and less sloppy then most I had seen.

What you need-

$1 foam wreath base (I found mine at the Dollar Store)
Dark colored acrylic paint- I used some gray I had.
Paint brush
Lots of hot glue
1 book you don't want- I used a paperback off the "Free" shelf at the Public Library.

What I did-
Step 1: Take a paint brush and with the book closed paint the top, bottom, and side of the book, so all pages are darkened on the ends. Let the paint dry overnight. This will give the wreath a little more depth then the clean white paper.

Step 2: Rip out all the pages and separate them. You will find that they are stuck together because of the paint. Look for words, or letters you might want to make sure are showing. I lucked out and my paperback had a chapter titled "LOVE" and a chapter titled "HOME".

Step 3: Roll pages length wise, and glue to the back of wreath base. Be sure to vary gluing them on upside down and right way randomly. Also be sure you roll the pages in, so that not every edge shows the title of your book.

'

I completed the top half of the wreath and then the bottom half, but I think you could finish one layer at a time and then move on to the next it is up to you.

Step 4: Roll pages length wise, fold in half and glue two or three layers to the outside ring of wreath base.

Step 5: Roll pages width wise and fold in half and glue on the front side of wreath base.
I inserted my center page with the "LOVE" chapter title in the middle before completing this step.

Step 6: Hang with ribbon. You won't be able to loop the ribbon through the wreath, so you can tack or glue it down in the back to the wreath base.

linking up

Bathroom Makeover

2010-10-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

This was my half bathroom before.
The only bathroom on the main floor.
The most used bathroom and the only one people not living in the house ever use.
The biggest eye sore of the entire house.

Nothing was liked about it except for the tile floor which we installed last spring. Not the builder block oak cabinets, laminate counter and boring mirror. Not the fact that it had silver fixtures when the rest of the house has that hideous brass nor the fact it was so very off white all over.

That is much better.

Another before. Like is usually looks, with a toddler's pull-ups filling the trash. I did not intentionally make it look worse by leaving the toilet paper rack bare. It just happened to be that way. ha!

After. It feels funny taking pictures of a toilet.
This is the truest photo in regards to the paint color.

What we did
Re enamel counter tops in better color
Replace faucet, towel ring, and TP holder
Paint cabinet high gloss white
Give cabinet handles
Replace mirror and repair wall behind mirror
Paint trim in new high gloss white
Paint walls so they were not white.
Paint accessorize to match

The details.

1/4 gallon Behr High Gloss in Creamy White. $7.24
1 gallon Behr Semi-Gloss in Garden Wall. $23.47
1 can antique white spray paint for accesorys. $3.44
9 foam brushes and one roller $10.94
Oil Rubbed TP holder $9.99 on Amazon
Oil Rubbed Towel Ring $8.99 on Amazon
Oil Rubbed Faucet $58.23 new on Ebay
Counter Top Enamel Paint in Cobblestone $19.48
Cabinet Handles $0 Left over from Kitchen.
New Mirror $25 (I bought a mirror at TJ Max, that was a better color but a bit smaller. I told my Mom and she said she would trade me this mirror that was on her dresser for my mirror I had purchased for the bathroom. Hers was taller, and I kind of like that it doesn't match perfectly)

Total 166.78

A close-up of what is one the wall. I sprayed this white so that it added some light to the room.

Let me say that this took 10 days to complete.

We ripped everything out, and decided to start with the counter top. We wanted to try to apply new enamel to change the color. But if it didn't work we were willing to buy a new counter for the space. It did work out eventually.I put the 1st coat of enamel on using a sponge brush and fine roller. It went on too thick, it was heavy and started to sluff off the vertical surfaces. I started to cry out of frustration. Jake came, sanded it down and fixed it. Sounds about like every project I start. Then it had to dry for three days before we could do anything else in the bathroom.

Another thing we found out about re finishing this room was that it was too small for both of us to work in at the same time. It was actually hard for me to paint just by myself because the room is too small to really fit a ladder in because it is an L shape. I kept bumping into the walls and would have to touch up the wall over and over again.

The hardest part of the whole thing though was patching up the holes in the sheet rock that bringing down the old mirror caused. It was industrial strength glued on there. When we tore it off we also tore off tons of the wall.

Like when we finish all home projects I am glad it is done, happy with the results, but not sure it was worth all that work and stress.
Also it is a little sad that a bathroom is now the nicest room in the house.

linking up

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com

F is For...

2010-10-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of some garage sale items I picked up for .50c to $1 back in May.
I had hoped with batteries the clock would work again. But it did not.
So it got a makeover.

A little white spray paint.
A little personalized Photoshop word play.
And ta-da.
Well I like her, especially seeing as how she was $1.

Finally A Chair

2010-10-26T18:01:00.000-07:00


I mentioned once how I found this guy for $3 here and showed you some of my progress.


Did I show you this seal that leads me to believe my chair to have been born sometime between 1857 - 1957.

I had given up for a while on her because when she was finished I put some varnish on... it was old varnish... and it ruined the stain on the seat. I had to start over. I had to re-sand and stain the entire seat- which is not hard, but takes days of drying and re staining. There was one point when I was not sure the $3 chair deserved all the work I was putting into restoring it. But I am glad I came back to the project and finished her. Next up.... the desk to match.

Everybody's Favorite Spinach Dip

2010-10-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Once I was asked to bring an appetizer to a fancy party.
I called my Mom and asked her for this recipe.
Partly because I remembered it being delicious, and partly because I was all of 21 and could only think of 2 or 3 appetizers.
I brought it to the party, and within minutes of my arrival it was entirely gone. The 5 couples present had devoured it, including the bread bowl which I had hollowed out and was serving the dip in.
After it was such a hit I started serving it a lot. At showers I threw, other parties of my own, and those I was invited to.
I have had several hostesses ask me to make and bring it to their party.
Including today.
We are headed to a Mom and Kid Halloween Party- and my dip was requested again.

It is always such a hit, but also super easy.

Here is how to make your own.

Simple Spinach Dip
1 cup Mayo

1 cup Sour Cream

1 package Leek Soup mix from Knor's

1-2 cups chopped spinach.

Mix all together and let refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Serve it with your favorite artisan bread or sourdough.

I usually serve it in a bread bowl for "prettiness".

Spooky Food

2010-10-19T12:05:00.001-07:00

Remember how I love Halloween and everything spooky?

Here is our Halloween dinner from last year.

Blood Soup and Eyeballs (Tomato Soup with mozzarella)

Muumies (Hot dogs in dough)

Slime Monsters (Jello)

Witch Fingers (Carrots with almonds)

Ghosts (Nutter Butters dipped in chocolate)

I continue to make scary food this year.

Eyeball punch (Pomegranate Crystal Light and Sprite with ping pong balls painted like eyes)

7 Body parts layered dip.
You could also bury a skeleton at the bottom of your dip and call it Gravediggers Dip.

A FrankenBride Cake- my sister in laws work.

Skeleton Cookies (oreos dipped and decorated)

Skeleton Cupcakes (Red Velvet Cake frosted and decorated)

That is all so far... but it is not Halloween yet. Much more to come I'm sure.

Linking Up
http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/10/recipe-swap-party.html

Easiest Pumpkin Bread Ever

2010-10-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

Don't mind that mine actually looks like a cake. I just baked mine that way because I thought it would be prettier. It is actually more like bread- but it does have a cake base.... you'll see.

Ingredients-
1 can of pumpkin
1 spice cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup of water

Directions-
Beat all ingredients together. Cook in greased pan for 30-45 minutes.

* You can add chocolate chips if that is how you roll, or for a more sophisticated feel, grate a dark chocolate and white chocolate bar and sprinkle on top.

Linking up

Pumpkins

2010-10-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

After growing all summer and taking up our entire side yard we finally pulled up the pumpkins today. Last night froze our garden- which is likely because our sprinklers were running for some reason. We are not too sad though, It is almost Halloween, and we have been harvesting 30 or more tomatoes a day still. Our pumpkins didn't have a chance to get orange really, but they were large enough in size to please our little two. I am thinkng about spray painting them all cream and covering them in glitter before I set them out on the porch.

Handmade Ganache Truffles

2010-10-06T07:27:00.001-07:00

Last week I was watching some morning cooking show on PBS with my sister-in-laws. We were on vacation. Some ideas with ganache were shown. We all decided we had to get to trying handcrafting candies out of ganache. Because who doesn't want to serve their guests these? I'm hard to impress when it comes to desserts- but these would impress even me.

You see, fancy desserts are really easy to do. Time consuming, but easy.

Step 1: Chop 9 oz of your favorite bittersweet chocolate.
I used a Ghiradelli.

Step 2: Bring 1 cup of heavy whipping cream to a boil.
Let it boil for three seconds.

Step 3: Pour boiling cream into chopped chocolate.
Whisk until smooth. Let chill in freezer for 30- 50 minutes.

Step 4: Scoop with melon baller.
Place on wax paper.
Return to freezer for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Dip in your favorite chocolate and adorn with toppings.
Be aware that the ganache will melt in the melted dipping chocolate. I would only take two or three our at a time to dip.

See none of that was hard. It just took a while.
It does cost about $6.00 to make 12 of these. But you only need to eat 1 so it works out.

I can't believe I haven't been usuing ganache more. I think next I will try frosting a cake with it or pouring it in a candy mold.

Backpack Backpack!

2010-10-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

Katerade is starting a preschool co-op on Wednesday. A little late, but we have been on vacation for the last two weeks. We got all her school stuff organized into a pencil box she decorated with Hello Kitty stickers. I tried to get her to put it in a bag I had sewn for church a few years ago. She wouldn't go for it- it looked like it was for boys I guess. So I went to work making her a more girly version for herself.
How come when you decide you can sew for 15 minutes because your children are playing kindly, they decided to not play kindly and color all over your tablecloth with color crayons?
It may have taken more than 15 minutes due to detours like stopping the madness, but I think it is a suitable school bag for a 3 year old.

My Charmed Autumn Life

2010-10-04T14:59:00.001-07:00

I shared this over at Team Freeman but thought you folks here might enjoy as well.

This is what my life looks like at 3:00 pm on a Monday afternoon.

We spent the afternoon at the park.
We waited until Samurai woke up from his nap, then I threw on my green, light, zip hoodie, and packed my bag with a few snacks.

And followed my children up and down the slides {with my camera} for about 45 minutes.

Then I sat down. Offered said snacks to the crew.
They partook- then jetted back to the slides.
Leaving me with half drunk juice pouches and a single cracker with a single bite out of it sitting on my shin.

It was perfectly perfect outside. That is how it is when you live in the Heber Valley in the early fall.
I took it all in.
Along with the continuing squeals of delight from children who love the park.

My Charmed Autumn Existence continues.
It is a nice sequel to the Summer of Fun.

He really is going to bite his tongue off someday. I just know it.
I love how when Kate smiles, the corners of her mouth don't go up- the entire middle of her mouth goes up instead.
Check out Katerade's sweet new kicks.
She is loving her new black converse all stars with pink ties.
She is growing so fast lately and out of everything.
Sam is not too far behind her, so I anticipate that these shoes will be traded out with some red laces and given to the little man in the house by Christmas.

Giveaway Winner

2010-10-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to K of Big K, Little a.

For being the randomly selected winner of the earring giveaway.
Please email me your address and I will ship them your way soon.

If you are not the winner... guess what. You can still get your very own.
Click over to the sponsor of this giveaway DIAMONDEARRINGS.ORG and take advantage of their new promotion to spread their name and get your pair for super cheap.

Diamond Earring Giveaway

2010-09-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

That is right.
You heard me.

Being a blogger has its perks.
Occasionally companies send me things so I will mention them on my blog.
Gift cards, food storage, free photo prints.
Don't get me wrong. Those things are all fantastic. I love it when I get blogger swag.

But today simply the best blogger swag ever sent to me came.

It looked like this.
A tiny heart shaped box, like something a lover might send.

I opened the box up to find these beauties.
Really they are.
.5 karats each of Cubic Zirconia just for me.

Sadly I happen to be the only mother of two on the planet who does not have pierced ears.

Proof. See.
{That dot is a freckle}

Instead can I share the goods with you?

Want to enter to win them?
Here are the two ways to win.

#1- Get one entry for becoming a follower, or already being a follower. Just leave a comment saying that you follow with your email address so I can contact you when you win.

#2- Recieve FIVE additional entries if you blog about ReadySetPlan. You can blog about something you like on the site, or even just the giveaway but be sure to link to us. Leave a link to your post in the comment box.

I will leave entries open until Oct 1, 2010.

Don't win but want some anyway.
When I announce the winner I will also show you where you can get you a set of these earring.

GOOD LUCK!

Desk Chair in Progress

2010-09-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

I found this baby for $3 at a church rummage sale.
Sadly I was told it had three siblings- and they had all been sold just moments ago.
Who buys three chairs of a set of four?

She was rough.
Somebody had tried to rid her of all her turquoise beauty with paint stripper... it was not a success.
But she was sturdy.
And I liked her roundness.

I used her as a chair for my little studio for a while.
Just the way she was... with all that character.

But then it was time for her to move inside to replace the broken neon green plastic folding chair I bought at Wal-Mart almost 8 years ago.

She was sanded down within minutes with a power sander.

The plan:
Glossy white with a dark walnut seat.

Here she is without the stain and just the white.
I was tempted to just put some finish on that natural wood and call it good.
She had already come so far.

but she is not done yet.
Stay tuned for her big reveal.

DIY Show Off

2010-09-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

You know this blog by now I am sure

The DIY Showoff is everybody's favorite collection of DIY projects.
I know I am a frequent reader.... like daily.... okay... like 3 times a day.

The DIY queen herself and in all her wisdom featured a past post of mine.

My Pretty Yarn Wreath for Fall.

I am so honored!

And deserving :)

That is one beautiful wreath I made.
It still makes me happy every time I pull up to the house or open the door.
Not to mention that I have had too many compliments to count on it.
People like yellow. It makes them happy.
Throw in a funky bird, and a color palette from a different decade, and you are sure to please.

Go here, and make yourself one today.

I am already contemplating my next Winter wreath.

Mix Book Love

2010-09-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

We all know that I love pictures.
I almost love a good deal as much.

I just found this company called mixbook.
They are a photo book editor with an professional feel similar to blurb.
And for the next 7 days they have a back to school special.
Your order is 20% plus if it is your fist time ordering with them you can get free shipping.
With book starting at under $6,
I think we all better give them a try.

Sites I am a Sucker For

2010-09-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

Some of these sites are new to me, and some are old friends. But one thing is consistent between them all.
They offer something great and have me wasting too much time browsing around.

Spoonflower

DesignSponge recently named them a top pick to purchase fabric. I agree with exclamation points.
You can design and print your own fabric for $18 a yard, or purchase something another fabric lover has created.
please
please
please
I am suddenly inspired to create a nursery for a child not yet in my womb...
or at least reupholster an old chair.
This is my new number 1 place to go for decorating inspiration.

Apron Thrift Girl
She lives in Sonoma, CA, which apparently is the best place for thrift, flea market, rummage sale, type shopping. This or the Apron Thrift Girl is lying about the price she is paying for this stuff.
Cotton Candy Machines
Mid Century Modern Kitchen Wares
All things pretty and vintage

Watching what she brings up has me regretting garage sale season is almost at an end.

Etsy
Etsy and I have a off again on again relationship.
Once I had a store. Then I didn't.
One month I was addicted so much so that each time I was home alone at night this is the site I would pour over- which usually resulted in me purchasing too many things.
Then I got rehabilitated and refused to purchase anything for the next few months off Etsy.
Currently we have a working relationship.
I browse for ideas and inspiration for my own projects.
I occasionally purchase a gift or item for myself.
I still think they are the best thing to come to the home business owner in more than a decade.

Giver's Log
It seems that more and more of our budget as we get nearer to middle-aged (shutter) seems to be going towards gifts. Maybe it is because we know more people, maybe it is because when you are making a decent living you don't feel a $20 Target gift card is a suitable wedding gift, maybe it is because we are somehow becoming more generous and giving with age (hopefully)
Whatever the reason, new, fresh and pretty ideas for gifts are always welcomed.
Features like
Free printables
Give that Man a Hand
Pretty Packaging
make her site all the more appealing.

Penguin Classics

2010-09-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

I came across these yesterday shopping for a few books to read on our upcoming trip.
Somehow though I read quiet a bit, I have managed to make it to adulthood without reading a single book by Jane Autin (gasp). Though if the films based on her books are any indication I would guess I might enjoy them.
{One fall I spent every afternoon between school and work nursing a broken heart, curled up in my bed watching an installment in the Pride and Prejudice [Blu-ray]AE movie}
Aside from this short indulgence, I have rarely had any interest in romantic movies or novels, and usually stick to things of a more true and intense nature.
I've decided to give Jane Austin and her 1st two novels a chance for my next reads.
I was already considering them as my next reads, then when I searched Amazon and found Penguin Classicsnew vintage hardback series. I was sold.

Sense and Sensibility (Penguin Classics)

Great Expectations (Penguin Classics)

Little Women (Penguin Classics)

I have two being shipping by Thursday and can't wait.
I also see the rest of the collection making its way slowly into our home.
I love having classic novels in our collection, and the prettiness of these Penguin Classics makes me want them all the more just to have them sitting on my shelf.

**Sorry for the links not working earlier. They are working now.

Taking Couponing to a Whole 'Nother Level

2010-09-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

If you have not heard of Groupons.com yet
I am not sure where you are hiding.

You can get goods and services for up to 90% off.

I told you it was ridiculous.

I recently purchased this Shabby Apple Dress
normally $92 for $40 using a gift certification I got from Groupons.

I am currently considering getting this Family Portrait Session
normally $294 for $49.
I actually wanted to use this photographer for our wedding but he was too expensive.
not at $49 bucks though.

The thing is, it doesn't matter where you live.
Groupons is rounding up deals all over the United States. Plus you can search other cities deals for chains that are in your area.
You can search by city, and you are sure to find a fabulous deal.

Please Please Please go take a look.
Create and account and you can choose to have local deals sent to your email.

DIY Embellished T-Shirt

2010-09-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

Mission:
Turn ugly $5 pocket tee into something I will wear.

Supplies: Other old t-shirts, matching thread, scissors, beads.
I thought I might mix both this old heather gray and this mustard tank together for the flowers, but I ended up going with just the gray.

Step 1;
Cut circles out of old t-shirt in all different sizes. 1" to 5" in diameter.
I ended up having seven stacks of flowers, having the stacks be 3-5 flowers tall.
Follow this tutorial, if you are unsure how to make a fabric stack flower

Step 2:
Arrange stacks of t-shirt circles down V neck until you are pleased with the amount and density..

Step 3:
Thread threw stack of t-shirt circles and attached three beads.
Double knot when done.

Step 4:
Once you have finished threading beads onto flowers, arrange them how you would like again.

Stept 5:
Thread threw each flower again and leave lots of extra thread before you cut and move on to the next flower.
Turn your shirt inside out carefully, and double know all the flowers onto your shirt.

That is the end.
Enjoy your embellished T.
I sported mine with a mustard colored cardigan all weekend.

Be sure to wash by hand and lay flat for drying.

Of course this idea could also be translated with any t shirts, including that of little girls.

Linking up here

Cherry Tomatoes

2010-09-13T09:51:00.001-07:00

We are harvesting crops of cherry tomatoes about this size each day.
Does anyone have a good dish that uses a lot of tomatoes?
We could use one.
Although eating them like grapes is working out alright so far.

Videos of Happy People

2010-09-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this "I'm a Mormon" campaign over at Mormon.org.

For a youth activity this week we attempted to make our own script for our own movies.
I thought it was a really fun activity.

Watch these videos and enjoy.... and see their joy,
then click on over to this page to meet some more lovely folks.

.......

my name is Crystal Freeman

I'm a blogger

I do whatever the heck I want

I'm a wife and a mother,

and I'm a Mormon

(pretend like that is in front of shots of me in my crazy house with a background score like these ones below)

7 Natural Remedies for Sick Kiddos

2010-09-09T06:44:00.001-07:00

I found this blog post over at HOW DOES SHE today.

7 Natural Home Remedies for Sick Kiddos
#1. BRAT diet
#2.Black Licorice for Constipation
#3. Baking Soda for burns
#4. Hot packs for ear infections
#5. Headache tips
#6. Teething applesauce rag
#7 Honey Lemon Tea

There are directions for them all in the link.
Hopefully we won't be using any of these ideas soon,
but it will be nice to have them here for future reference.

Upcycled Cake Plate

2010-09-08T06:23:00.001-07:00

Remember these items I purchase for $4.00 at the thrift store the other day?

Now they have been fused together to create a one of a kind vintage style dessert platter.
I needed another dessert platter.
I need lots of dessert platters.
I love pretty desserts.
I only wish I had glass cabinets to display my cake plate.
Then I would make a lot more of them.
I will likely make a lot more of them anyways.

Epoxy glue is recommended to adhere this sort of thing,
but my sister told me she just uses hot glue and has never had any trouble so long as she only washes her plates by hand.
So that is what I did too.
I just put a ring of hot glue on the candlestick, centered and pressed the plate on top, let dry and then adorned with a cake.

Thrifty Finds

2010-09-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

Monday our whole family went bopping around the city.
No reason really.
We visited my brothers new phone store (plug Fix-a-Phone @ University Mall, Orem, UT)
We shopped for new appliances at RC Willey and Best Buy.
We at $2 platters from Denny's,
and we shopped at the thrift store.

It was an odd Labor Day.

I have been wanting to go to the thrift store to get myself some old candlesticks and crystal, to create vintage style cake plates.
I'll show you how tomorrow.
But I did find a candle stick (0.99c and crystal dish. ($2.99) just like I wanted.

His Majesty and the kids browsed the children's wears and found these.
I have been wanting to get the kids coats, but not able to find something I like for under $35.
I don't love these either, but they are all in new condition and ranged in price from all of $1.50 to $2.00.
At least they have coats now. It has been in the high 30's when we wake up in the morning.
And I won't feel bad when coats I really like for them go on sale for something less than $35 and I get them too.

I spotted this for myself for $1 while waiting at the checkout.
A perfectly good J. Crew belt in just my size.
I've been into belts lately.

Family Mission Statement

2010-09-07T07:53:00.001-07:00

I finally got around to displaying our Family Mission Statement.
I just printed it with some silhouette clip art of a family that funny enough looks just like us.
In fact when I showed Majesty the project he asked how I did that to our picture.
And when my twin sis saw- she asked the same thing.
I got lucky with google image is all I can say.

I just put in in a 11" x 14" frame that I found 50% at Joann's and placed it on the piano.

I know we are in theory at least putting thought and purpose behind the kind of family we want to be.
I hope in action too.

Did any of you do this Family Mission Statement. Activity?
How did it go?

I grew a Garden.... Now What?

2010-09-06T10:31:00.000-07:00

Growing a garden seems a practical idea.
I mean who doesn't want fresh organic veggies out their backdoor?

Only crazies.

But sometimes I struggle to come up with things to use all those veggies for.
We can only eat so many raw and in salad after all.

Some of the things we have been making with all our home grown goodness include

Herb Garden Chicken Pasata
Zucchini Lemon Muffins
Assorted Sauteed Veggies
Garden Fresh Pico

and my newest dish on the list are GARDEN FRESH FAJITAS.

Easy as 1.2.3.. okay 4.

1.Saute peppers and onions.
2.Grill chicken or steak
3.Add a bit of lemon zest, chili powder and pepper and salt.

4.Wrap in a tortilla and top with cheese, salsa and sour cream

I think I will try these all veggie fajitas this week. Zucchini and Squash are a main ingredient.

What have you been making with all your veggies?

Shaking Things Up

2010-09-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

I have been reworking my pages above lately.
I am not done yet.
It is a process.

But I have the Cooking Things Up Page and the Home and Craft Tutorial Page all complete and easy to navigate.

Go take a look.
What do you think?

Much easier huh?

I hope to be changing all the pages above, cleaning them up, and making everything prettier and easier to use by the months end.

Since I started the blog I have branched out a bit from my Emergency Preparedness Roots.

I think my new pages will be

Cooking Things Up
Home and Craft Tutorials
Emergency Preparedness Basics
Frugal Living
Gardening
Great Posts About Other Stuff

Sounds good right?

Being a Parent IS Funny!

2010-09-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

We are battling HAND FOOT MOUTH here at home.
I hear it is going around. I guess I heard a little too late.
Instead of creating interesting posts for you all, I am nursing fevers and mouth sores.

Jealous aren't you?

Last night I woke up around 2:00 am. in a pool of vomit that belonged to somebody that I did not even know was in my bed.

As disgusting as it sounds, you have to laugh because that is just what happens sometimes.

Yup. Parenting is funny.

These parents have the right idea about how funny parenting can be.
And I think after the last three days I could certainly use a laugh.

Racking It Up

2010-09-01T18:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks Better After!
For the feature.

You can find it here.

And here is the original post.

This Girl Can Sew

2010-08-30T12:08:00.001-07:00

Have you seen this blog

She takes hideous $1 or less dresses she finds at thrift stores and yard sales
And turns them into something you might actually wear.

And she does it every day.
Yup- she is not only doing this for fun/ to save the earth/ to save money
She is doing it because she needs something to wear for the day.

I have a sudden urge to go to the thrift to find something to refit/dye/ turn into something awesome.

I told you...

2010-08-27T07:13:00.001-07:00

...that zucchini were having their run over the backyard.

I found this guy hiding in a back corner of the garden growing way to big for his own good.

Urban Outfitters Summer Deals

2010-08-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

Urban Outfitters is a pretty cool store right?

Cooler than me usually.... and by that I mean too expensive.

But right now they are having a Summer Sale with items like these sandals and this necklace for $9.99. That is marked down from $28.00
And this sweater for $14.99
marked down from $32.00

That is a deal!
Normally they have a $10 ships everything fee.
That is not too bad
But use the Coupon Code

FALLFORIT

and get free shipping.

Herb Garden Dinner

2010-08-26T07:43:00.001-07:00

Time to use some herbs from the garden to make dinner!

Grill 4 chicken breasts
Add in tomatoes
Olives
2-6 Basil Leaves
2 pinches of Fresh Thyme

YUM!

Pesto Sauce

Food process (or use your blender like I do)
3 cups of Basil Leaves
4 Cloves of Garlic
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 cup olive oil
A pinch of salt and pepper
1/2 cup chopped walnuts if you please

Combine and mix Pesto Sauce over Penne noodles. Top with chicken mix!

Lists

2010-08-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

It is no Secret that I love a good plan.
I think making a list is actually one of the most therapeutic things for me to do.

Really lately I realize that my happiness strongly correlates with how productive I am.
I have tried to change my mind set.
And be happy not getting anything done.

I can't.
So instead I am finding ways to get more done.

This includes not washing my hair more than twice a week.
(It is not the washing that takes so much time, but the drying)

and making more lists.

Hopefully on this

70's Magazine Rack into Chic Girl's Bookcase

2010-08-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

This is how I found her.
$10 at a garage sale put on by a group of youth trying to raise money for their programs.
She hardly fit in my car.

I think we had met before.
In my optometrists office in 1973 where she held copies of Readers Digest for eager patients.

I brought her home.
She sat in the basement for a few months.....

Then in the garage for two weeks....

Then finally to my little girls room for her reading corner.

Katerade also seems to think she makes a nice bench for her stuffed friends.

5 coats of a high gloss white I had left over from the front door
Gray paint on a wood detail I found at Home Depot.
Some wood glue and some distressing later....

She is already getting a lot of use.
I realize that the slots are not as efficient for storing lots of books,
but I like that she can see her books.
Maybe it is less likely she will continue to pick the same book over and over again each night if she can really get a view of the choices.
I think it makes them all look more appealing.
Anything to encourage the raising of the nerds is worth it.

linking up here

and here

and here

Food Storage Giveaway

2010-08-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

Emergency Essentials and the Preparedness Pantry are giving away a year supply of food storage.

This prize is worth over $1500.

But really who can put a price on preparedness?

All you have to do is create and log in to their Food Storage Analyzer and you are entered to win

You can read more about the details of this giveaway here.

What to do with all the Zucchini

2010-08-20T07:24:00.001-07:00

Every year when harvest time comes,
I realize that one or two zucchini plants would have been sufficient.
But each year at planting time- I convince myself that four or more plants are needed.

And then I have an overload of squash, and commit myself to only planting one or two zucchini seeds....
they cycle continues :(

Here is my recipe for Zucchini Muffins.

My kids seem to eat these better than the bread.
One average size zucchini is needed for the recipe- which makes about 16 large muffins.

ZUCCHINI MUFFINS

1 1/3 cup shredded zucchini
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup oil
2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice

Perhaps you have noticed that I like to make recipes easy by making as many ingredients the same proportion as possible.
I just like being able to make a recipe without having to look at it and this makes it easier.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prep pans or muffin pan with non stick spray

Beat eggs and sugar for 10 minutes.
Beat in lemon juice and oil and zucchini.
(I love shredding squash, it is just too easy)
Mix dry ingredients separately.
Then add to wet ingredients.

Fill muffin pan 2/3 full.
Bake for 20 minutes.

Now what should I do with the other six ripe zucchini???

Thirfy Thursday- Free Music

2010-08-19T07:45:00.001-07:00

It is no lie that I have not purchased a CD, i-tune, MP3 or any other form of music for at least three years.
I do like music.
Is is silly that I don't buy it?

The thing is-
if I am listening to music it is most likely I am near my computer or in my car.
In the car, I am fine with the radio,
And if I am near my computer I can just listen to Pandora.

My current favorite station is the Imogen Heap station.
Just create a station based on an artist you like.
It will help you find more music like it for you to like.
and keep playing for free until you tell it to stop.

It is free music filling my house when ever I please.
And I am a fan.

Know Your Neighbors

2010-08-18T07:08:00.000-07:00

I know most my neighbors pretty well.
And I like and trust most of them too.

But working for the State's Division of Child and Family Services showed me time and time again, that when it comes to our kids we can never be too safe.

Some Depressing Stats

1 of 5 girls and 1 of 6 boys will be molested before their 18th birthday.
90% of all sexual assaults against children are committed by someone whom the victim knew.
The typical sexual predator will assault 117 times before being caught.
The re-arrest rate for convicted child molesters is 52%

It kind of makes you feel hopeless right?

Family Watchdog
Their service allows you to view known registered offenders and predators in your area. Knowing who these people are and what they've done provides you with your best defense to protect your family - awareness.

All you have to do is type in your street and zip code, and a map appears with descriptions, photos, addresses and offenses of each individual.

A little knowledge can go a long way.

I live in a very safe and up and coming neighborhood.
And guess what?
We have an offender about 8 houses down.

Get to know your neighbors.

Some of them may not be people you want at your neighborhood BBQ.

Start here.

Custom Door Mat

2010-08-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

Have you seen custom door mats like this one.
If you wanted this one... it is $57.00
Yikes!

Having a new custom door mat for my own front door was completely part of the "Freshen Front Door" project I have been working on this month.

I had completed this wreath,
sanded and repainted the door bright white,
pressure washed the cement steps and awning.

It was really all that was left of the front door makeover.

I found a plain door mat like this one at TJ Max for $5.99.
This one above is actually from IKEA for all of $4.99.

I brought it home and started laying some masking tape to mark off the lines.
I printed large letters out on Word, then cut the letters out of the paper, to leave a stencil.

I took the mat outside and sprayed it with some left over Black Spray Paint. I seem to have an endless supply 1/4 cans of spray paint.

It smudged a little, you can see by the J.

Overall I am pleased with my $5.99 door mat.
And my front door makeover is complete!

Linking up

Save Even More Online

2010-08-16T09:18:00.000-07:00

So it can' t be a secret anymore that I am an online shopper.
Because it takes at least 45 minutes for me to get anywhere, with 45 minutes back, shopping with two children is a task. I guess it is for anyone really, but we waste 1.5 hours of what might be happy, patient children time just driving.
Not only is it easier to find the best deal online too, I can often get shipping for less than it would cost me in gas to get to a store and back.
After a quick check for a promo code before checkout, I get a great deal.

Because of this I have become very comfortable shopping online.

I buy music and books of course.
most the gifts I give,
children's clothings,
shoes,
furniture,
small appliances,
home decor,
toys and baby gear,
electronic and computer equipment,
even what could be intimidating swim suits and dresses
to the super small stuff like batteries and pacifiers.
I was about to type that the only thing I have yet to buy online is food-
but I buy all my food storage online- so I guess I have covered that category too.

Amazon, Overstock, and Target.com are some of the most common retailers we use.
But a simple Google Search can usually help us to find exactly what we were looking for.

Today I saw this story about which days to shop for what online to ensure the best deals.
I think I will include it into how and when I shop online.

Where do you find good deals online?

Kindergarten Prep

2010-08-13T14:51:00.001-07:00

I read this post over on Bloom today.

I thought it was a great plan for kindergarten entrance.

I don't have a kindergarten age child yet, but I am quickly on my way to having two in quick succession.

I believe that Katerade is fairly advanced for her age,
but don't all parents think that about their own child?
We try to work with her on something almost every day.
But a lot of times we miss.

So reading this made me happy.
I guess Kate is ready for kindergarten within these guidelines,
even if she still has two more years.

Do you have a kindergarten going off to school this year.
Click here to see what teachers recommend your child already know before day 1.

Thrifty Thursday- Free Cereal

2010-08-12T06:48:00.001-07:00

Looking for small bag-able treats for my kiddos for church, I came across these in the ceral aisle.

Kellogs Cinnabon Cereal.
My kids think cereal like this is actually cookies, and though it is hardly better than cookies, I feel better about feeding it to him.

Right now you can get this cereal for free,
Yup.
It says so right on the box.
All you have to do is send in your receipt and the UPC code the the address it directs you do, and you rebate is in the mail.
So I guess it is the cost of a stamp.

Pretty Good Deal!

New Projects

2010-08-11T06:45:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a new project for myself.
Yup- something just for me.

Do you feel like being a mom these days requires a whole new set of skills?
I mean that in addition to mending, cleaning, baking bread, and gardening there is a new modern skill set mothers are required to have.
I do.
I look at friends, family members, and especially other blogHers.
They seem to be able to do...and have the energy to do... everything well.

Not only can they can, and sew curtains while they wait for a dryer cycle to complete, now they are experts at Photoshop, making money while blogging, serving their families vegan/gluten free diets, supplying their children with new crafts or activities each day and refinishing a good will dresser into a robin egg blue charming vintage entertainment center with anthro knobs.

At least that is how I start to feel sometimes.
Sometimes it makes me frustrated with how little I get done in a day.
And how exhausted I am just doing those few things.
And how I am not good at most the things I do.

There is one thing that I feel I am doing that has me holding my head above water in matters of new age mom skills.

That is Photography.
I am not the best photographer.
But I have enjoyed it for the better part of 10 years.
Majesty bought me a swanky D-SLR last year for the day of my birth.
It only made me better, and love it more.

Sometimes I forget I love it.
And that it really makes me happy.

Recently I have remembered.
And whilst I was in the mood, I created an online gallery/ portfolio.

I thought you all over here my care for a minute.

crystalfreemanphotography.com

Hop on over, and be a follower please.

It will surely make me feel New Age Mom Skill Adequate for a good few minutes.

Do you have New Age Mom Skills?
Really this is anything.
A great new recipe, craft, you can even post that goodwill furniture re-do.
I want to see what you are doing?
What are you good at?
What are you doing just for you?

Can I see?

Link to your post here

Men's Dress Shirt Deal

2010-08-10T06:15:00.001-07:00

These are the Majesty's favorite dress shirts.
He has been wanting some new white dress shirts, and even went online to buy some a few weeks ago. But they arrived and were the wrong ones.
So I went looking yesterday for the right ones.
Long sleeve, Stafford, Oxford White Dress shirts.

I found them here.
On sale at JC Pennys for $14.99 marked down from $36.00.
Not bad.
I added one to my online cart.
Looks like it is $5.8o to ship one, and $6.86 to ship two.
I added another to my cart.

Time to look for a coupon code.

TEN2YOU

Got me $10 off my order of $10.00 or more. This means you could essentially get yourself an almost free item if you were willing to pay the shipping.
The code I believe was good through 8/15/2010.

It made my dress shirts only $9.99 a piece.
When I checked out the page told me I had saved around $52.

And that is a pretty good deal.

And I didn't have to drive 45 minutes with two children fighting in the backseat.
And that makes it an even better deal.

Wasp Warrior

2010-08-09T07:58:00.001-07:00

We have been having a pretty big problem with these guys since the weather got warm.
At first I didn't mind a few wasps here and there.
I occasionally would purposely drown the ones I saw while watering my garden.

Their population seemed to grow quickly, and in no time there were easily fifty wasps flying around outside as we played outside
Nervous that a child would be bit, we decided to kill them.

We went to the hardware store and purchased two cans of some wasp spray, they were on sale for $0.99.
We came home and hunted down a few small nests on the fence, one on the front porch, and then sprayed the grate on the awning. It is closed, but seemed to have a lot of wasps flying in and out of it.

A few days later- even after knocking down five or so small nests, we still seemed to have a large wasp problem.
We tried a wasp trap.
It caught all of two wasps.
Me and my hose were about 100 x more effective.
Back to the store for 3 more cans of wasp spray.
It was mostly used again on the grate on the awning.
I even left the can outside so that when we were outside and I saw a wasp near that grate, I could spray him dead.

This continued for two weeks
Today I came outside and there were another twenty wasps buzzing about that grate again.

I was done.

Back to the store for three more bottles.
Majesty got the ladder out.
Even if it meant we had to pry apart the awning and gutter and possibly break it, we had to get in there and get these wasps.

Even more so, I was curious what we would see.
I imagined something like this.

Majesty opened up the awning and couldn't see anything.
But emptied a can of spray inside.
This resulted in about 30 angry wasps flying out.

After a few minutes had passed I decided to see what was going on.
Up the ladder I climbed, and stuck my head right up to the awning... closer than his Majesty had been willing to get. I wasn't afraid. I had been living with these wasps in my yard for a month now. I wanted to see where we were trying to spray. I was sick of this problem.

I found the nest. About the size of a cereal bowl, plastered to the inside wall of the awning. On it about ten wasps, and below it about 60 dead ones. Our spray had been working after all.

I got the spray. I was anxious to get the nest out. I sprayed inside. The wind picked up and blew some of the spray into my eyes. Momentarily blinded, something landed on my eyelid.
That something was a wasp. It was very evident in about the 1/2 second it took to bite me.

I cried. Turns out the eyelid may be the most painful place to be bit by a wasp.
I ran upstairs to find our StingEze.

This caused more stinging and burning. The StingEze is not meant to get in eyes, and trying to apply it to my eyelid caused it to run into my eyes.

I washed and started over. I applied vinegar for a few minutes. This smelled, seemed to help the burning and left me feeling like Chinese salad dressing. Some ice for the swelling, and I was returned to normal a few minutes later.

My first aid advice for the day is.
1. Wear some eye protection when you are taking care of pests.
2. If you happen to get bit by a wasp on the eye- don't try to use an external analgesic on it, it will just hurt more.
3. Vinegar is the best and most convenient way to ease a wasp bite.
4. Perhaps you should let those pest control summer sales men take care of your pests.

Blue Gold

2010-08-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

We stumbled upon this documentary in our netflix que last night.
I thought it was really well done and made both the Majesty and I take a hard look at how much water we waste.

I believed every word of it.
Which really is no surprise.
I am often persuaded by a decent media package.

Regardless
It makes sense that people will be killing one another over water as a resource in the coming years.
People are already dying over the limited resource of oil.
And I imagine people will be a lot more desperate for water, after all, you CAN live without oil. Water, not so much.

How can we secure our future water?

Thrify Thursday: Home Decor

2010-08-05T07:35:00.001-07:00

Two birds with one stone.

I wanted to have more keepsakes from our family events and vacations.

I needed something more for the collection of vases on the piano.

Solution.

This month we have gathered something from nature at a few memorable events.

1. A pine cone from my birthday picnic- Kate found and gave it to me as a gift.
2. A rock from outside our condo in Sun Valley, ID.

I wrote the location and date on them the placed them in a class vase.
I can see us adding more rocks, shells, etc from our future trips and events.

I think it is an easy and inexpensive way to save and display memories and decorate my home.

Dear Garden

2010-08-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Garden-

You are simply put the best garden I have ever had.
You have brought me so much joy this year, as I have watched you grow (entirely from seed) in my laundry room window, to bigger pots, to finally the ground.
You were a late bloomer- not doubt about that.
But what was I do expect when we were still getting snow in June?

We normally eat everything you have to offer almost right off the vine, into my mouth or more commonly the mouth of one very-excited-she-grew-plants-to-eat daughter.

Today was a rarity, and your produce was brought inside, properly washed and sauteed in extra virgin olive oil all together.

It was delicious!
It tasted like summer and felt like thanksgiving.

We actually only ate fruit and vegetables for dinner tonight.
Sauteed Vegtables, cucumber and tomato salad, and fried plantanes.

A little strange?
Well we just have so much produce it was taking over the house.

So we feasted tonight.
on you Garden.

Don't be mad Garden.

We are so very grateful.

Time for a Fall Wreath Me Thinks

2010-08-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

Okay so it is not fall yet
But the sunflowers have made their appearance lining the roads and filling empty fields.
This means summer is winding down.

I spent way to much time on this when I have 1 million other half finished projects to work on. But I don't really care because it makes me smile, and it was a lot more fun than re sanding and painting the front door.

It did take a while though. Over two hours.

Supplies you need.

Wreath base- any kind with do
Yarn- two spools of yarn in different colors at the least
Material and Felt- scraps will do nicely for fabric flowers
Misc- beads, birds, flowers... whatever you have got
Hot glue... and lots of it, also some tough fingertips if you are clumsy like me.

Step 1: Wrap your wreath base in yarn.
It doesn't have to be perfect. See the hay peeking through above.
Secure the yarn with hot glue. I was wrapping about two yards at a time- only gluing both ends down and gluing on to the back of the wreath

Step 2: Glue whatever you want wherever you want.
Really I had a plan from the start and was using this etsy store here as my inspiration.
I think as long as you have a good eye for colors- or get ideas from somewhere else it will look unique and charming.

I hot glued on about 20 fabric flowers (find that tutorial here)
a few yarn pom poms (find that tutorial here)
and some other random bird, plastic flowers and beads.

Then I tied a ribbon around the top to hang down.

I promise it is the coolest front door wreath in the neighborhood.
A heighten sense of wreath snobbery is totally what I was hoping for with this project too :)
linking up here

and linking up here

and here

How to Store 17,000lbs of Produce

2010-07-28T07:07:00.001-07:00

Answer- Store 22,000 seeds packed and canned able to store for 4 years or more.

My mom got this for me for my birthday last week.

Does she know me or what?

You can get your own here for $55

DIY Silhouette Art

2010-07-26T07:06:00.001-07:00

Here is the after.

And here is the before.

I found this beauty for $5.00 at a garage sale this spring. It reminded me of something that belonged in a doctor's office that had not been remodeled since 1990.
It had real glass, and though brassy, its detailed framed showed potential.

I decided I would make a vinyl monogram for a sister-in-law.
And so I did. It was beautiful.
I knew she would be so pleased.
Until I tried to put the glass back in the frame.....

And the glass broke into several pieces.

I had already painted the frame a nice glossy black.
And it was still a good looking large frame.
So I came up with a new plan ---to make some very popular silhouette art.

The cost was only $10.
And now I have a lovely large piece of art.
Step 1: Take a picture of each person standing side ways in front of a window or door without using a flash. This trick may prove the trickiest if you have young children like myself.
Step 2: Print the picture gray scale- a word document with the picture imported will do just fine.
You may have to play with the sizing a bit so that children are correctly proportioned to adults, etc.

Step 3: Cut out head.
Step 4: Place head on black card stock and trace in pencil.

Step 5: Feel free to fudge a little. I made ponytails a bit more perky and gave myself some eyelashes.

Step 6: Use card stock to make name cards. I printed my right onto the card stock in a lovely font. Then I glued them onto more black card stock.

Step 7: Place heads and name cards on your mat board, poster board, canvas. I used a mat board I found at Michael's that was the correct size already. Plus the extra weight was helpful when I re-mounted everything. I attempted to use a .19cent poster board. Which actually looked better but was too flimsy without the glass. It would have worked well if I had not broken the glass already. I just hot glued everything down, because I did not have a glue stick. Glue stick would have worked better I think.

Step 8: Find the perfect place to display your lovely heirloom art.... I am still working on this step.

Does this work?

linking up here

click over and see all the other wonderul DIY projects.
and here

join the party.

Wise Foods

2010-07-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

The kind folks over at Wise Foods sent me some free samples to review for you.
Neatly packaged to my door came a 2 serving cook in package sample of their outdoor meal Chicken Ala King and a 4 serving long term storage packet of Cheesy Lasagna.

The kids and I decided to try out the Chicken Ala King for lunch this week.
Here is how simple it is to make.
Step 1: Open Package and remove oxygen absorber
Step 2: Pour 2 cups of boiling water in.
Step 3: Re close pouch and let stand for 8-1 2minutes.
Step 4: Eat
What did you think kids?

They loved it!
I mean the really loved it.
It may have well as been chocolate chip cookies.
And we were not even camping of hungry during and emergency.
I imagine they would liked it more than chocolate chip cookies if that were the case.

Other than my children will eat it here is what I like about their company.

1. Prep- I can prepare the foods in the package with hot or cold water. This means all I need a way to get hot water and we are eating in under 12 minutes.

2. Retail- You can purchase their products online here. Or at several local retail shops. I love this option. I love being able to pick up food storage products while I shop for groceries.

3. Size and Weight- a one year supply for 1 adult weighs only 60 lbs. An entire years supply for our family of four would fit in about the space a washer and dryer takes up.

4. Cost- On average their foods cost about $2.00 a serving. This is pretty comparable especially when you consider the average calorie count of a meal is almost 250 calories.

5. Storage- Each meal comes packaged in a four serving pouch. Leaving the rest of the food still sealed up tight for long term storage. I always hate it when we open a #10 can and then have to have green beans with every dinner all week.

What I can see myself purchasing.

1. They have a 60 entree bucket. with these meals below included for $135. Three of these would fit in with our storage nicely.

Stroganoff (8)
Creamy Chicken Pasta (8)
Cheesy Macaroni (8)
Chicken Ala King (8)
Chicken Teriyaki (8)
Southwest Beans and Rice (8)
Beef Teriyaki and Rice (8)
Cheesy Lasagna (4)

I don't see us outfitting ourselves with an entire year supply of Wise Food pouches. But I think having some would be useful. I can see us using it in emergency after eating down the 3 month pantry and before we start digging into our #10 cans and wheat. I think they could be nice transitional meals between the gourmet 3 month pantry and the more long term food storage. Even then we would not eat it for every meal. Just dinner. Which is why I like the entree only packages.

2. 72 hour Emergency Meal Kit for $39

I would love three of these. One entire kit for the 72 hour kit and one entire kit for each car. I love the cook in the bag option. I could take out the mess kit in our 72 hour kid, which would free up a little space. Plus these seem some how more appropriate to eat than only soups and spaghettios.

What do you think?
Have you tried their products?
Have you seen them in a store near you?

Do you want to try them?
Go here for your free sample
Then come back and tell me what you think.

Also if you are looking for a group discount or perhaps a price break on shipping for an order you can talk to this guy.

Tony Smoot

Wise Foods Inc.
801-677-1077 office
435-730-2118 cell
tsmoot@wisecompanyus.com
www.wisefoodstorage.com

he may just be able to help you out.

Vacation for {Almost} Free

2010-07-21T06:26:00.001-07:00

Last week we spent Wednesday through Saturday in the BEAUTIFUL Sun Valley, IDAHO.
We loved swimming, biking, shopping, dining, lodging, feeding animals, bowling, going to the movies and spending time together as a family.

The best part though of this vacation may just be that we will write off all but a few bucks.

Jake has to take continuing education courses to maintain his attorney's license each year.
The conference in Sun Valley gets him 3/4 the way done.
He has to go to class until noon, but then it is all vacation.

Because he must do continuing education for his profession- many of the costs and fees with this trip we can write off.

Lodging- you can write off as long as it is a single rate, and that is indicated on your records.
in our case- we had a studio suite condo. It would have been the same price whether Jake was there alone or not. We can write off this entire cost. Our Studio condo was very cozy and nice.

Travel- The government will reimurbse you about .50 cents per mile for gas and maintaince.
We traveled just under 700 miles there and back. This is a $350 write off. We actually only spent about $250 in gas driving there and back. While there we rarely got in our car because it is such a bike friendly town.

Food- You can write off 50% of your meal cost while traveling for work purposes. We brought groceries with us for breakfast and lunch. The conference provided a free dinner buffet for the entire family one night- which meant we had to eat out three other nights. The kids usually split a meal plus my meal was only about $13 a day. That means so far in our vacation we can't write off $39 spent. It was enjoyable to eat out in the evenings- though we could have saved more money and cooked in our complete kitchen in our condo. Sun Valley and Ketchum, ID don't allow chains, so every place was quaint and new to us.

Activities-
Swimming- FREE. We swam everyday with the kids. They loved it, and it was just the resort pools included in our lodging.

Ice Skating-FREE. Kate and Jake went ice skating one evening. It was also free at the resort. Good thing because although she enjoyed it- it took them 10 minutes to get around the rink one time.

Movie- FREE. Jake took Kate to a movie one night. It was free, and activity put on by the resort and the conference. They gave out free popcorn and candy too.

Biking- FREE. Sun Valley, ID is the most bike friendly town in the United States... LITERALLY.
We enjoyed biking on the miles and miles of trails, into town, and all around.

Feeding Animals- $1.50. There were lots of animals, horses, and swans located on the resort property. Our kids loved feeding them some carrots and leftover bread.

Bowling- $11.00. We choose to go bowling one evening together. It was $11.00 for three of us including shoes.

Boating -$11.00. We choose to take a paddle boat ride around the lake together. It was just something fun to do, and we hardly felt bad spending $11 for a 30 minute ride when we had spent so little on our family summer vacation.

Lets add that up.

Lodging-WRITE OFF
Travel- WRITE OFF
Food- $39
Bowling- $11
Boating $11
Biking- FREE
Swimming- FREE
Animals- $1.50
Movie- FREE
Ice Skating- FREE

Four Day Vacation for Family of Four = $62.50!!!

of course writing something off doesn't exactly mean it doesn't cost you anything. Most professional tax accountants will tell you writing something off reduces the cost to you by between 33% and 50%. But being self-employed we love writing things off and consider a write-off as something almost free.

Looking for ways to cut costs on your family summer vacation?
Learn more about what you may be able to write-off here. and here.

The Money Crop

2010-07-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

If I had to grow something for a living (other than hay) in this climate it would have to be snap peas.
We have already had a hardy crop this year.
Sadly the children and I usually eat our daily harvest before it makes it in the house.
Today I felt it would be fair to save Majesty half.
I think next year I am going to forget about some of my less productive vegtables and let peas rule the cool planter box.

Food Storage Frosty

2010-07-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

The Wendy's Frosty is a family favorite around here.

They remind us of when we were poor students and considered going out for a $1 frosty a date.

So when I saw Safely Gathered In posting about how to create some out of stuff in my food storage...

I had to blog about it.
If for no other reason than to keep the recipe handy for trying soon.

Here is their post about it.

Food Storage Friday: Magic Milk Shakes

I don't know about you, but I like ice cream. A lot. But when I want it and I don't have it in the house, I use this great recipe for make a chocolate shake akin to a Frosty.

Magic Milk Shakes

1 1/2 to 2 c. ice water
1 1/2 c. nonfat dry milk powder
2/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 t. vanilla
1 to 1 1/2 trays of ice cubes, as much as you can spare
2 T. oil plus 5-second squirt of non-stick spray for emulsification

I realize I don't have a photograph here. That's because I am currently on a no-dessert policy and I don't think I could stomach the thought of making four delicious, thick chocolate shakes and not sampling one. Or two. So here's what you'll have to imagine.

I also realize that ice and ice water aren't technically "pantry shelf items." However, if you're in the middle of a snow storm and you have electricity to boot, why not make a magic milk shake from the ice outside? It's also a fun way to use up almost-expiring powdered milk.

To make the milkshakes, place all of the ingredients into the blender, including the oil and non-stick spray. Use less water for thicker milk shakes and vice versa. The blender should be about 3/4s full. If your blender is a weakling like mine, you might have to add more water. Place the lid on. Process for a full two minutes. This is important as the continued blending breaks up the ice crystals and makes a creamy consistency. Pour into cups and serve.

Makes 4 12 oz. shakes.

For variations:
Add a ripe banana
Add a big spoonful of peanut butter
Add a few broken peppermints
Omit cocoa powder and reduce sugar to 1/2 c and 1 T. to make a vanilla shake

Nothing like being able to have a favorite treat when money is tight or supplies are low.

Thanks for the idea Safely Gathered In.