A WARNING Post for Parents....Please read.

I think this affirms why we need to do more ourselves. I will be breaking out my juicer.

http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2011/11/consumer-reports-tests-juices-for-arsenic-and-lead.html

Remember Making Salt Dough Ornaments in School?

I remember making these ornaments in school, and they were so fun! My mother still has the ornaments we made, and she still hangs them on the tree. What a great thing to keep and collect to pass on later to your child. I think I am going to make two of each child's ornaments. This way I can keep one forever and can pass one along to them when old enough.

4 cups of flour
1 cup salt
Food coloring
Large Mixing Bowl
Water to moisten
cookie sheet
just a tad of oil
a small rolling pin or wooden dowel
a drinking straw
ribbon
a plate for a guide
paint *if desired

*My goal for this batch was to do a handprint with both twins' hands on one keepsake & then to have a separate one for each.* This recipe had enough to make 3 keepsakes. Depending on the size & how many kids you have, you may need to double the recipe.*

In your mixing bowl ~ gradually blend in your flour & salt with water.

*Remember to add gradually, because you can always add more water then takeaway.*

It was easier for me to lightly grease my baking sheet with oil & form & roll out on the cookie sheet. Once you have your form made, I suggest you use your straw to make a whole in it before you have your kids emboss their hand print. Keep in mind you need to have your dough thick enough to form the handprint. If your dough is too thin, it will not work. Place in a 150* degree oven for an hour. Or you can air dry over night & for 24 hours.

Credit: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/11/salt-dough-hand-print-ornament-by.html

Are You A "Follower" of This Blog?

I really enjoy sharing great ideas, recipes, money savings tips, and so much more. With that said, I would like to have some feedback from people who are viewing and/or using this blog.

So....please join as a "Friend" or "Follower" and let me know what you think about it. Please feel free to drop a comment below any of the posts.

Thank you everybody and Enjoy!

Crock Pot Meal That's Super Tasty!

With the morning sickness that seems to fall afternoon and night, my dinners have become quite puny :)  So, I found a Crock Pot meal that I tweaked, and it was absolutely delicious! So, here is it:

Ingredients:

1 can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can of Campbell's French Onion Soup
4 chicken breasts
1 envelope of Italian Seasoning/Dressing Mix
1 1/2 cups of white cooking wine
1 Tbsp. of chives
1 8oz. package of cream cheese
Egg noodles or Rice

Directions:

In your Crock Pot put your two soup mixes and stir/blend well. Then, add your Italian dressing mix and mix/blend well. Next, add your chicken breasts, chives, and white wine. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. Thirty minutes before serving, add the cream cheese (cut into chunks so it melts easier) and stir until it is completely melted. Finally, serve over egg noodles or rice (whichever you prefer) and ....

Enjoy!

Check This Out! Body Butter Bars!

Body Butter Bars

You'll Need
Mold (I used a silicone cupcake tin)
Double boiler of some sort
Shea Butter
Coconut Oil
Beeswax

1) Determine how much weight your mold can hold. I did this by placing my mold on my kitchen scale, hitting tare, and pour water in to the desired fullness. If you're using something like a cupcake tin, or something with multiple cavities you can just fill one and then multiply by the number of cavities. My cavities held 2 oz of water, so I needed a total of 24 oz of oils.

2) Measure oils. I decided that I would use equal parts of beeswax, shea butter and coconut oil, so I measure out 8 oz of each.

**NOTE: When buying beeswax, it's probably better to buy the pastilles or 1 oz blocks. I bought the 1 lb blocks because they were cheaper (I regret that decision). It took me 10 minutes to figure out how I was going to break down that block of beeswax. I ended up just breaking it into pieces with a hammer.**


3) Melt oils. You can do this step however you feel comfortable. Options include in the microwave, crockpot or using some sort of double boiler. My double boiler was actually a steaming pot that I set a 4 cup, glass Pyrex measuring cup in (it made for easy pouring).

I did find that the oils melted faster if I put the lid on. Also the beeswax takes the longest to melt so you might want to put that on the bottom.

This is what everything looks like when it's melted. Those little bits on top are beeswax that didn't fully melt. (Don't worry about them)

4) Pour melted oil into mold.

5) Put mold in freezer. My bars were completely cooled in 33 minutes. (I know because that's exactly how long I was exercising)

6) Remove from mold and enjoy! After taking my bars out the mold, I wrapped the ones I didn't intend to use right away in wax paper and put them in the freezer.

Check her blog out/Credit: http://ourgreenexperiments.blogspot.com/2011/03/making-body-butter-bars.html

Happy Thanksgiving and Safe Travels Everyone

I would like to send out a heart felt Happy Thanksgiving message to each and everyone. May you spend it with the ones you love, enjoy the time off, and be thankful for all we have. Please travel safely and see you on Monday.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Wine Bottle Labels and More

Plan on joining a party for Thanksgiving and will be bringing a bottle of wine? Well, dress up the bottle and make it more personal for FREE. Enjoy!

http://www.bhg.com/thanksgiving/crafts/free-fall-thanksgiving-wine-labels/

Scents of The Season

There is nothing better than walking around in your home and smelling Christmas all around you. So, I have found several recipes for simmering potpourri for your home to do for yourself or as gifts. Enjoy!

Spicy Simmering Potpourri

• 1 oz. can cinnamon sticks, broken into small pieces 
• 1 (1.12 oz.) can whole cloves
• 1 (1.25 oz.) can whole allspice

Mix all ingredients in Ziploc bag or airtight container. Place 1 heaping teaspoon to 1/2 cup of water in simmer pot and heat.
Fruity-Fresh Simmering Potpourri

• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 3-3 inch cinnamon sticks
• 6 bay leaves
• ½ cup whole cloves

Cut lemon and orange into slices or place in pot or slow cooker or saucepan. Cover with water and then top with a few bay leaves, whole cloves and cinnamon sticks. Cook on low heat. You can refrigerate and reuse any leftovers.
Christmas-y Simmering Potpourri

• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons dried lemon peel
• 2 tablespoons dried orange peel
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Mix all ingredients and store in Ziploc or airtight container. I’d use 1/3 mixture at a time (making sure I get one cinnamon stick and one bay leaf). Place your potpourri–along with about a quart of water–in a medium saucepan or slow cooker. Simmer on low heat, adding water as needed.

Credit:  http://www.curbly.com/users/diy-maven/posts/2588-easy-homemade-simmering-potpourri-recipes

Edible Simmering Potpourri
Apple cider to fill a large soup pot
One apple, cut horizontally to make circular round slices 1/2-inch thick
One orange, cut into round slices 1/2-inch thick
3 whole cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
One 2-inch piece of fresh gingerroot, cut into small rounds Place all ingredients in a large soup pot and bring to a simmer, then reduce and allow to simmer uncovered, adding cider as liquid evaporates.
When guests arrive, ladle out a mug full of the hot cider for each person, adding a splash of bourbon or brandy, if you like, and serve with an additional cinnamon stick in each mug.

Christmas Simmering potpourri
Simple and great smelling. I like to mix the dry ingredients up in little Ziploc's to have them ready to add to water during the holiday season.

3 cinnamon sticks
3 bay leaves
1/4 cup whole cloves
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 lemon slices, fresh or 2 tablespoonsdried lemon peel
2 tablespoons orange peel or dried orange peel
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 quart water

Mix all ingredients in medium saucepan. Simmer on low heat. Add more water as needed.

Spicy Simmering potpourri

* 3 1/2 cups anise star, whole
* 1 3/4 cups allspice, whole
* 1 3/4 cups orange peel
* 1 3/4 cups juniper berries
* 1 3/4 cups nutmeg, whole
* 1 3/4 cups cloves, whole
* 3 1/2 cups cinnamon chips
* 1 3/4 cups lemon peel
* 3 1/2 cups rosehips
* 3 handfuls bay leaves, whole
Use oil fragrances such as French vanilla, old world spice, and vanilla fragrance. This recipe makes 24 cups.

Citrus Simmering potpourri

* 1 cup cinnamon sticks, whole, 1"
* 1 cup orange petals, whole
* 1/4 cup lemon or grapefruit peel
* 1/8 cup allspice, whole
* 3 cups lemon verbena leaves, whole
* 1 cup chrysanthemum flowers, whole
* 1 3/4 cups orange peel, cut and sifted, 1/2" - 3/4"
* 1/8 cup cloves, whole
* 2 cups lemongrass 1/2" cut
For oil use 1/8 ounce lemon essential oil, 1/2 ounce sweet orange essential oil, 1/8 ounce tangerine essential oil, and 1/8 ounce cinnamon bark essential oil. This recipe makes 12 1/2 cups.

Floral Simmering potpourri

* 1 cup rosebuds and petals, pink
* 1 cup rosebuds and petals, red
* 1 cup Balm of Gilead buds, whole
* 1 1/2 cups orange peel, cut and sifter, 1/2" - 3/4"
* 16 nutmegs, whole, cracked with a hammer
* 1 cup oak moss
* 1/4 cup allspice, whole
* 2 cups cinnamon chips
* 1 vanilla bean, cut into small pieces
* 1/4 cup fenugreek seeds, whole
* 1/4 cup cloves, whole
Use 3/4 ounce of your favorite floral fragrance oil. This recipe makes 8 1/2 cups.

Fruity Simmering potpourri

* 1 1/2 cups orange peels, cut and sifted, 1/2" - 3/4"
* 1 cup anise star, whole
* 1/4 cup cardamom pods
* 2 cups cinnamon chips
* 1 cup apple pieces
* 1/2 cup mace, whole
* 1/4 cup allspice, whole
* 1/4 cup cloves, whole
For oil, use 1/2 ounce apple fragrance, 1/8 ounce cinnamon bark essential oil OR use 3/4 ounce spicy apple fragrance. This recipe makes 6 3/4 cups.

Credit:  http://www.easy-homemade-recipes.com/simmering-potpourri.html

Several Postings Today

I have posted several postings today, because I am not sure if I will be able to post tomorrow....but come by and check to make sure.

From Scratch, Moisty Yellow Cake Mix....YUM!

I was sent this website, and I have to say I am extremely glad I received it. I shall share with you :)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Finally, I found it!

A moist yellow cake recipe. (Actually, I asked for it.) I have been on the hunt for a moist yellow scratch cake recipe since I started this site. I’ve tried several in the past, like the Butter Cake recipe from The Cake Bible (a great baking resource, by the way). And, while the taste was really good, I’ve been having a time trying to get the recipe to come out as moist as I like. I finally came to the conclusion that it must be my gas oven that’s the problem. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself.
So, the hunt was on. It was a short search that began and ended with my friend’s mom. She used to own a bakery and made the yummiest cakes. So, I thought I would ask the pro for help. And, I’m so glad I did. It was yellow and moist, but mostly delicious. Thanks for the recipe, Shirley! I guess I’ll have to come up with another reason to trade my gas oven in for an electric one. Here’s the recipe:
Moist Yellow Cake
1 cup (2 sticks) of butter (room temperature)
2 cups of sugar
4 eggs (room temperature)
3 cups of sifted self-rising flour (White Lily)
1 cup of whole milk (room temperature)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (McCormicks)
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease and flour (3) 8 inch cake pans.
• Using a mixer, cream butter until fluffy.
• Add sugar and continue to cream for about 7 minutes.
• Add eggs one at a time. Beat well after each egg is added.
• Add flour and milk (alternating to creamed mixture), beginning and ending with flour.
• Add vanilla and butter flavoring to mix; until just mixed.
• Divide batter equally into three cake pans.
• Hold each layer about 3 inches above your counter and carefully drop the pans flat onto counter several times to ensure release of any air bubbles. This will help you have a more level cake.
• Bake for 25 – 30 minutes (depending on your oven) until done.
• Cool in pans for 5 – 10 minutes.
• Remove and immediately wrap each layer in plastic wrap to seal in moisture. Cool completely on wire racks.
• Once cooled, you are ready to assemble your cake.

Here’s a little trick to add moisture into your layers:

• Combine 1 cup of sugar and 2 cups of water.
• Bring to boil and boil for approximately 3 minutes. Let cool.
• Pour liquid into a spray bottle or pouring bottle.

Cake assembly:

• Unwrap first layer and using a serrated knife, level off the top of your cake.
• Place layer onto your dish. Take a straw and poke holes into the layer. Using your spray bottle, spray top of layer several times; enough to give it a little moisture. Be careful – don’t add too much.
• Add a layer of frosting to your bottom layer. Repeat on second and third layers.
• Frost the sides.

Easy Buttercream Frosting1 cup (2 sticks) butter (room temperature)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1b. 10X powdered sugar
1-3 teaspoons milk, half and half or cream

• Using a mixer, cream softened butter and vanilla until smooth.
• Add sugar gradually, allowing butter and sugar to cream together before adding more.
• If you want your frosting a little creamier, add a teaspoon of milk at a time and beat on high until you get the right texture.
• Then, just use icing colors to tint the frosting the color of your choice.

This is usually just enough for a 2-layer cake, so I would recommend doubling this for a three-layer. But, I like a lot of frosting.

P.S. I’ve been using aluminum cake pans instead of the dark coated kinds you find in the grocery store. They also come in many different sizes.


http://www.bakerella.com/finally-i-found-it/

A Very Unique Appetizer or Snack

Ok, I will warn you if you have not had these before this will seem very strange, but if you have had them you know how wonderful they are. Don't shrug it off, because kids love them!

Ham and Dill Pickle Appetizer Bites

dill pickles
thin deli ham slices or corned beef or just experiment with your favorite meat
cream cheese

"Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before you make these.

Cut dill pickles lengthwise into fourths or sixths, depending on how thick the pickles are.  You need as many cut pickle spears as you have ham slices.

Spread each slice of ham with a very thin layer of cream cheese.  (I used about 1 tsp. cream cheese on each ham slice. The ham doesn't need to be completely covered with cream cheese.) 

Put a dill pickle on the edge of each ham slice and trim the ham if it's very much bigger than the dill pickle spear.  Roll up the ham around the dill pickle, then place toothpicks where you want each piece to be cut.  Cut into pieces so that each piece has a toothpick.  Arrange on plate and serve."

http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2011/02/easy-recipe-for-ham-and-dill-pickle.html

Onion Soup Mix Recipe

We use it in sour cream for onion dip mix and we use it in dinner recipes. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2/3 cup minced onion
3 teaspoons parsley flakes
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together well in an air tight container or jar. Use 4 Tbsp. to equal the amount of one store bought dry package.

A DIY Pizza Oven!

I haven't tried this yet but will. I have copied and pasted from their website, but go to their website to see the pictures and details as well.

Enjoy!

So if you have a pizza stone- great. If you don't, here's how you can make your own brick over in under $5.

You'll need either 2- 12" pieces of UNGLAZED Ceramic quarry tile or 8 pieces of 6" tiles. Again- they ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE UNGLAZED. I purchased mine several years ago from a very well known chain (big box) hardware store for 50 cents a piece. That's $4+ tax for the whole thing.

I'm also using a paddle because I apparently make lots of pizza. If you don't have one,  use the back of a cookie sheet- you'll be fine.

We want to arrange the tile in the oven in two layers. The base layer will create the amazing crust we want, while the top will help increase the temperature within the pizza's area by creating radiant heat from the stones above. It will also aid in getting a beautiful, lightly burned top crust.

Place the stones into the oven while it is cold and bring up to the highest temperature possible... 500 Degree F is mine. I let the over preheat for about 45 minutes to get the stones very hot. Make sure your paddle is well floured to easily slide the pizza into the oven.

Bake for approximately 5-7 minutes.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pizza-Margherita-and-a-5-DIY-pizza-oven/step5/The-Pizza-Oven-and-Baking/

Party Appetizer or For Chit Chatting Around With Guests

One of my most favorite appetizers to converse around is baked brie. Most don't realize just how simple it is.

Ingredients:

1 Round Brie (size of a saucer)
1 Package of Pillsbury Croissants
Optional-Any type of flavoring (if you like fruit then use fruit preserves etc)

Directions:

Lay out croissants still hooked together on a greased pan. Place the brie in the center of the croissants and top with your optional fruit topping. Then, fold the croissant dough up around the brie and fruit. Bake as directed on the croissant package. Serve with your favorite crackers (I suggest a wheat or mostly flavorless cracker so to get the full flavor of the brie and fruit topping).

Tip: If you have an Aldi or Sams brie right now is fairly cheap. Don't quote me but I saw brie at Aldi for $2.99 and Sams for 4 or 5.99.

Tires, One Not To Skip!

I am told SO often about this video story that I shared via email several years ago. Please watch cause even though your tires have just been bought, they might be a driving hazard that can kill.

I can't say how happy I am that I shared this video, cause it has indeed possibly saved loved ones and friends of mine. So, please watch!

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/aged-tires-driving-hazard-4826897

DIY Fool Proof Brownies!

I found this recipe online and thought I would share:

Ingredients

1½ cups sugar
¾ cup flour
¾ cup cocoa powder (see note below)
3 eggs
¾ cup butter, melted
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (see note below)

Directions

A NOTE ON CHOCOLATE: You’ll notice the list of ingredients is very short. That means the quality of the chocolate makes a huge difference. The chocolate flavor is front-and-center — not the sugar, not the richness, the chocolate. I used Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa powder, and Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips.
The assembly is about as easy as you can get. Combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, eggs and melted butter and mix.



Do this by hand, until the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet, and stop. You don’t need to beat it, and in fact want to avoid producing gluten from the flour. (Kneading flour produces gluten, the springy protein that makes bread chewy.)

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment. I over-did it a little bit here, because I wanted to be absolutely sure it didn’t stick. As long as you cover the bottom you should be good, as it will pull away from the edges while baking.

Pour the batter and spread it out. Don’t try to spread it like mayo on bread, or you’ll move the parchment around. Poke at it with the tip of a rubber spatula.

Bake at 325° for 20-30 minutes. It’s done when a toothpick inserted in the tallest part comes out clean. Keep in mind you’ve got chips in there. If you hit one with the toothpick it will have melted chocolate on it. You might need to poke a couple of spots to make sure you aren’t hitting a chip.

Very carefully lift the parchment out of the baking dish. Get a spare set of hands if you can.

Peel the edges and let cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Credit: http://cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2009/07/how-to-make-perfect-brownies/

Do You Have A Problem Organizing Receipts?

I was reading and looking through a magazine and saw a clever gift idea of a scarf on an old ribbon spool. Then I got to thinking how that would be so great to organize receipts since I am awful at this. Start a receipt by taping the top to the spool and then attach each receipt to the next and rolling it around. To secure the receipts when waiting for another one, use a rubber band to hold the receipts on the spool. This will certainly help keep my receipts organized in sections, too. I use one for gas, utilities, groceries, gifts, food, etc. Enjoy!

Holiday Parties Coming Up Soon.

Do you so enjoy holiday parties? I know I do. With that said I thought I would put a couple holiday fruit drink ideas out there for the 21 and up crowd.

One of my favorite drinks is champagne, with a splash of pomegranate juice, with a couple pomegranate seeds dropped inside.

There are so many wonderful drinks out there to celebrate with and you can find so many of them on this blog site:  http://www.drinkoftheweek.com/category/drink-of-the-week/

Check it out and maybe you can turn your usual boring drink into a new favorite drink.

Enjoy!

Hardwood Floor Cleaners

Why stop at the grout LOL....

 

Homemade Hardwood Floor Cleaner Ingredients

When your floor is ready for a thorough cleaning, you can make a homemade hardwood floor cleaner with one of the following ingredients:
• Vinegar is one of the most frequently used household items for cleaning different areas of the home. To use as a cleaner for your floor, mix ½ cup of white vinegar to one gallon of warm water. Mop with the solution and rinse your mop out frequently. There’s no need to rinse the solution once you have finished mopping since the vinegar leaves no residue behind.
• Mix together the following: 2 cups of white vinegar, 1 cup of lemon juice, ¼ cup of clear dish soap, and 2 cups water. Mop the floor with the solution and then use a soft, dry rag to wipe up any water.
• For a cleaner with a natural polish built in, mix together ¼ cup of olive oil with ¼ cup of vinegar. To give the hardwood floor cleaner a fresher smell, add several drops of essential oils. Apply to floor with a soft mop or cloth and you will have shinier hardwood floors.
• Many people believe that tea is the best ingredient to use in a hardwood floor cleaner since it brings out the grain in the wood and makes it shine. Brew up to two dozen regular sized tea bags in 2 quarts of water. Use the tea to mop your floor covering lightly but not soaking the floor. Be sure not to leave excess moisture on the wood.
• For floors that need a little more help getting rid of the dirt, mix together 1 tsp washing soda with 1 gallon of hot water. Use to gently scrub away grease, dust and dirt from your hardwood floor.

Copy and pasted/Credit: http://www.hardwoodfloorcleanerguide.com/how-to-make-a-green-homemade-hardwood-floor-cleaner/

DIY Grout Cleaner Recipes

Well, around here we have been cleaning grout. We bought some and well.....it didn't work very well. So, here I went searching for a DIY recipe and this is what I found:

Recipe's for Homemade Grout Cleaners

Recipe #1

This first homemade grout cleaner is the mildest of all the recipes I've outlined here and can be used on all tile surfaces. It can also be used as a poultice to remove stains from grout and natural stone.

3 cups of baking soda
1 cup of water

Or 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, amount depends area to be cleaned

Mix the baking soda into a paste and apply to the dirty grout. Let it dwell for 10 minutes and rinse clean.

Recipe #2

This recipe uses vinegar, which is acidic, and should not be used on marble, limestone or travertine tile.

1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup vinegar

Mix the ingredients together in a small container and apply for cleaning floor grout. Let the solution dwell for 20 minutes. Make sure not to let the solution dry out. The solution can be scrubbed it's dwelled.

Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Recipe #3

Recipe #3 also uses acidic vinegar and akaline ammonia, which should balence the pH, but I wouldn't count on it. Don't use on marble, limestone or travertine tile.

1/2 cup baking soda
1/3 cup ammonia
1/4 cup white vinegar

Mix the ingredients and apply the solution to your dirty grout. Let it dwell up to 20 minutes and then scrub. This solution is a bit stronger and should clean tough grout stains.

Recipe #4

Recipe #4 is for light colored or white grout lines only because it has bleach in the ingredients.

1/4 cup bleach
3/4 cup baking soda

Mix the ingredients and apply the solution to the dirty grout lines. Add water if you want do dilute the bleach.

Also, the longer you let the solution dwell, the more it will bleach the grout lines. If used on colored grout, the grout lines will start to have a faded appearance.

This is one tile and grout cleaning method (dwell) I've seen a million times when cleaning grout profesionally that really works.

Recipe #5

When brewing up homemade grout cleaners why not go with truly natural products like recipe #5. It's acidic so don't use on marble limestone or travertine tile.

lemons
baking soda

Mixing lemon juice and baking soda into a paste and appling to the dirty grout will also work. Let dwell, scrub and rinse with warm water.

Recipe #6

For cleaning mildew off grout use recipe #6. Not for colored grouts. Careful with marble, limestone and travertine and test first in an inconspicuous area.

1/4 cup bleach
1/4 cup alcohol
1 cup water

Mix solution and apply to grout with mildew. Keep area saturated and let dwell 20-30 minutes. The bleach will kill the mildew and the alcohol will disenfect the area. Scrub and rinse with soap and water.

Re-apply when mildew returns. In under-ventilated areas, this may need to be done a few times a month.

Recipe #7

This recipe uses the cleaning power of hydrogen peroxide. This can bleach, so don't use on colored grout. Test first on marble surfaces.

3 parts baking soda
1 part Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into a paste and apply to dirty grout lines.

Let dwell, scrub and rinse with warm water. This mixture works great. Can also be used a poultice for natural stone.
http://www.integrity-tile-and-grout-cleaning.com/homemade-grout-cleaners.html

How To Fix Broken Eyeshadow, Like New!

I wanted to share this with everyone since I found it a couple months ago. A huge game changer and money saver!

http://petitelefant.com/how-to-repair-a-shattered-eyeshadow/

Homemade Frosting, WAY Cheaper

I have a confession... I don't buy frosting due to the price and how gritty the sugar is in them. I make cinnamon rolls, sweet bread, cakes/cupcakes, BUT I put my own frosting on them. People will ask me every time for my recipe, so here it is my friends.

Ingredients:

2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup room temp/ softened butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2- 2  tablespoons milk

In a bowl or mixer put the confectioners' sugar first, then mix in butter, then add the milk. Once you have the mixture thoroughly mixed then add the vanilla extract.

Side note: If it is a little too sweet add the extra 1/2 tablespoon of milk.

Enjoy

What a Great Gift and A YUMMY One, Too.

Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe

yields 3 half pint jars
Ingredients:
1 cup Honey
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
3 half pint canning jars

• Combine all ingredients in bowl. Using whisk attachment on mixer blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

• Use rubber spatula to pour mixture in to a large pastry bag (or Ziploc® bag), cut off tip and squeeze into half pint jars. (tip: place bag in tall glass for support, or have someone hold the bag while you pour)
• Keep refrigerated.  Serve room temperature
• Credit: http://tidymom.net/2010/cinnamon-honey-butter-gifts-in-a-jar/

Send along with a homemade bread or dinner rolls for a perfect pairing if you ask me :)  Enjoy!

Christmas Cards

Cards are so expensive anymore, and they seem to be a waste of money... most of the time. So, this Christmas I will be using the kids stored up energy to make our cards. I will post a  picture that I found on Pinterest.

Purchase card stock and cut in half and that will give you two cards per piece of paper :) If you prefer to send postcards, cut them in fours and decorate each side. Make some homemade finger paint (recipe below) to decorate them with. Cheap, fun, and easy!

Loanable items = $$$$

I saw this website and thought it was worth letting my friends know. We all typically have so much stuff laying around that could make us money.  What better time to make some extra money? Go check it out and see what you think.....

http://www.loanables.com/

Homemade Italian Sodas

So, my story goes....over the weekend with my parents I began to feel bad. I went in search of something to drink that sounded good. My mother had bought a Central Market grapefruit Italian soda. This sounded excellent to me so I opened it. Man! it was so good.  In fear that I would finish off her beverage, I asked her what she thought was in it. She figured we could buy some Ruby Red grapefruit juice and some club soda and we would have it. Well my friends, she was right! The possibilities are endless and what a great way to water down juices for little ones who tend to drink too many of them. Also, it is like they are drinking a soda BUT it is not! Wow a win/win!  :)
I filled a juice glass or small glass with about half crushed ice, then poured half full with grapefruit juice, and finally topped off with the club soda. Give it a stir and Voila!

Try using other juices like apple, grape, any fusion juices, or more. Like I said the possibilities are endless.

Enjoy!

Once again, sorry for the break.

I had an opportunity to go out of town and jumped on it :) I wasn't able to post to the blog while I was gone, and apologize. Everywhere I went while gone, people were telling me how much they love the blog. Well, here is my response....

Keep enjoying, because it is here to stay :)

Thank you to all the "likers" and keep checking the blog out.

Homemade Liquors, Great Christmas Gifts

What an awesome gift! or really just for yourself :)

Coffee Liqueur
1 (2 ounce) jar instant espresso coffee powder
3 1/2 cups white sugar
2 cups boiling water
1 pint vodka
1 whole vanilla bean
Mix coffee and sugar. Add boiling water and stir until dissolved. Cool.
Add Vodka and pour into two 26 ounce empty bottles. Split vanilla into 4 pieces and add to bottles.
Close bottles tightly and keep in a cool dark place for one month.
Fall Spice Cordial
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/4 cups apple juice
1 tsp real vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp dried, chopped orange peel
1 cup white brandy
1/2 cup 100 proof vodka
Bring brown sugar, white sugar and apple juice to a boil over medium-high heat. Add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and orange peel. Boil for 4 minutes and remove from heat. Let stand until just warm. Transfer to a clean 1 qt aging vessel. Add vanilla, brandy and vodka. Cover tightly and let stand for 1-4 weeks. Filter out solids before bottling.
Almond Liqueur (like Amaretto)
1 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups vodka
2 tablespoons almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Combine water and sugars in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the mixture is boiling, and all of the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
Stir vodka, almond extract and vanilla extract into the mixture. Store in a sealed bottle.