Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Guests staying for the holidays?
Kick those winter blues!
Look @ my big ears!
Her ears do look a little big in this photo!!! It gives her character! ...not that she needs anymore, she's crazy!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Forget those pesky chemicals!
*update*
This can be used with less soap and more water...the castile soap we used was just picky and would separate if mixed with more water.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
My new love...
I mean, look at this...
21-25 of 103 Randoms About Me
Saturday, December 19, 2009
For the kiddos
I then took scrap pieces of the fabric used for the game pieces and made a little baggie to store them in : )
I also used scraps from the same fabric to make bean bags filled with dried beans (of course!)...
They need something to do with the bean bags right?! I connected a few pieces of pipe cleaner together then wrapped some around it for more strength and covered it with a piece of black fleece...simply lay the ring on the ground and try to throw the bean bags into the ring. (For pretty young kids, so it didn't need to be too complicated.) There are many other uses for bean bags too, I can only imagine the things kids could come up with!
Squeaky Clean
My brother had made soap before so I emailed him asking him for his recipe. When told me that he would bring the recipe and the stuff needed to make it up with him when he came up for Thanksgiving, I was thrilled!
I was so excited to make it that I asked him to show me how to make it the day after he arrived, haha. He brought the recipe and enough lye for two batches of soap. We quickly made a run to the store and picked up the olive oil, shortening and coconut oil. That's it! That's all you need for a basic bar of soap. Simple enough, right?!
The lye scares me because it is a little dangerous if you don't know what you're doing with it...and I didn't have a clue! You must be careful to make sure you don't get any on your skin! However, we made it through the soap making process without incident.
After we made the soap was the hard part...you have to wait 3-4 weeks before you can use it!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Homemade Lip Balm
(sorry for the slightly blurry photo, this was taken with my phone)
This recipe is soooo simple!
- 1/4 cup beeswax shavings not compacted, but not super loose (make sense? haha)
- a tiny bit less than a 1/4 cup sweet almond oil
- a few drops of whatever essential oils you prefer
I say a tiny bit less than 1/4 cup oil because when I used a full 1/4 cup I felt it was slightly too oily. Simply combine the wax and almond oil in a glass microwave approved vessel and nuke at 30 second intervals stirring in between each. Do this until completely melted but not burnt. The first time around I added the oils to the lip balm jars (only if using jars) until I figured out the desired scent. (Usually 3-6) Then simply fill the jars or tubes with the wax/almond oil mix and stir! Once I've gauged how many containers a batch makes I just mixed the proper amount of essential oils into the wax/almond oil blend.
You should try it! Simply adjust things to the way you like it, but this is a good starting point :) Some people like to add honey to this recipe...I wasn't a fan, because my honey never seemed to mix into the wax/almond oil blend well. Good luck and happy melting!
More posts after Christmas!
The picture isn't the best because it's taken with my phone, but you get the idea...nothing fancy. She loves it tho! She's still a little scared of getting down from the top platform though.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Internetless
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Out of the dark!
The last photo is the most recent one of her.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Peasant Bowl Lunch
Sunday, November 1, 2009
*Halloween*
Saturday, October 24, 2009
26-30 of 103 Randoms About Me
29. I just got new glasses a few days ago!!! I had been putting up with broken glasses with the wrong prescription for a few years now : (
28. I am already thinking about what Bob and I are going to be for Halloween next year!!!
27. I could watch the Food Network channel almost all day. I have to avoid Paula Deen tho! I can't deal with her voice...
26. The only side of a camera that I am comfortable being on is the back! I avoid pictures as much as possible!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Two interesting years...
Yesterday marked two years (yikes!) of dating and pretty much three years unofficial dating. People say I was in denial for the first year. Because we were hanging out, but not officially dating. I had commitment issues, lol.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Stuffed pepper yummyness!
Ingredients:
2 tbsp veg stock
1 small onion
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp tomato paste
6 ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped
4 tbsp cooked brown rice
1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1/4 ground cinnamon
juice of 1 lemon
black pepper
1) preheat oven to 350
**If stuffing eggplants or zucchini, trim the stems, then halve lengthwise. use a teaspoon to hollow out each half, leaving a shell about 1/2 in thick. Chop the scooped-out flesh (to use in mixture if desired). Steam the shells over boiling water for about 4 minutes, then hold under cold water to stop further cooking and dry with paper towels. Mist the insides with oil-and-water spray.
**If stuffing bell peppers, slice off the tops (put to one side), then scoop out and discard the seeds.
**If stuffing tomatoes, slice off the tops (put to one side), then scoop out the seeds and flesh and add the flesh to rice mixture in step two.
2) Heat the stock in a skillet, then add the onions and garlic and saute, stirring, until translucent. Stir in the tomato paste, tomatoes, chopped eggplants or zucchini flesh (if using), cooked rice, pine nuts, herbs, and cinnamon and continue cooking for a couple of minutes.
3) Stir in the lemon juice and season with black pepper.
4) Lightly mist a baking dish with oil-and-water spray. Stuff the vegetables with the rice mixture and put the lids back on the peppers or tomatoes. Bake for about 20 minutes.
*As usual, we didn't really follow the recipe...we used way less tomatoes, a little less garlic, a lot more brown rice, no pine nuts and no cinnamon. We used what we already had in the house or left out what we didn't like. It was still delicious tho! We also decided we were going to use even more rice next time we make them : ) So play with the recipe to make it your own!*
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Little Halloween Spirit
A simple coat of white paint on the outsides of the letters and...
*poof* easier to read : )
Now I just need to get more decorations for the house! I thought I had all kinds of Halloween decorations (It is my favorite holiday! Mostly for the dressing up and going out part tho, haha) but apparently not! : (
Friday, October 9, 2009
Ugh...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
21-25 of 103 Randoms About Me
25. Since June of last year I have had FOUR cell phones. Three of the same kind and now an iPhone. The LG Vu that I had kept crapping out on me. Bob was sweet enough to buy a new iPhone and give me his old one a few days ago...he was looking for an excuse to buy the new iPhone and my phone being dumb was the perfect excuse! Haha.
24. I stuffed myself for dinner yesterday with two grilled cheese sandwiches and and half a can tomato soup! Too much food, but SO delicious!
23. I haven't updated my blog in FOREVER out of pure laziness : (
22. It is 4am and I am awake because I was too busy messing with my iPhone to fall back asleep...I think I might have a problem : /
21. I went to college for many years without a goal...once I finally picked a goal I ended up getting suspended due to bad grades : ( Two jobs + Respiratory Therapy classes = not a good idea for me I guess. Now, I don't have a clue what I want to go back to school for! Ugh.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Stand still...
Then, I swear I'll get it done to show you!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Calling all readers!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Lack of posts
I did get a haircut today tho! She took quite a bit off in length and gave it more shape. My hair was so dull and boring before...not that it is super exciting and great now, but it's a lot better!! Now, I just need to work on getting it colored. My friend who I like to have color my hair is pregnant at the moment so I can't have her do it : (
I thought I would have had my little table done to show you by now, but I have been forgetting to pick up spray paint! Everytime I run somewhere I completely space it out : ( I should get on that tonight huh?! You know what...I'm going to get that right now!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
'New' Shelf!
(Sorry about the sideways photo!! It shouldn't be sideways, but it kept uploading it that way!)
I painted it black and hung it in the living room :) Love it! ...not so sure about the reed diffuser being on it, but we'll see...I'm also not sure what photo is going in the frame, so I blurred out the lame pic that is in it now. Haha.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Project turned even bigger project
Apparently the red hadn't dried and when it rained it all came off and left a strange white film.
This project has now turned into even more of a project...now i have to fix this before I can continue...ugh.
I'm a big fat failure
I have officially given up on the cleanse : ( Simply because I am a wuss. I enjoy food and I was weak. I wouldn't have felt like such a failure if I had been starving...but I WASN'T EVEN HUNGRY! I just ate for the sake of eating!!!
But you better believe I WILL be doing the cleanse again in a few months and I WILL suceed then! I know I can do it...I just need to be in the right mindset and I started out in the right mindset, but then I just gave in. That will be the toughest struggle for me, not eating when I'm bored or just WANT food.
So, goodbye for now Master Cleanse...but I WILL BE BACK!!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Beary interesting...
My friend Gena and I were driving on one of the busiest roads here in town...I look to the right of the road and think "Wow! That's a big dog!" Then I realize, that's not a dog that's a BEAR! It was a small bear who proceeded to run across the road stopping all traffic! Thank God the other cars saw it and stopped! It was crazy! Because it's not like we live in a small country town...we live in a town with 80,000 people!
I just had to share...
Detox Project #1
It is a children's play table. I originally had thought that I would paint it red and put it in our pantry for our beer making supplies to sit on...I have changed my mind and have a much better use for it! However, I can't say yet...
Now, I am using leftover paint from when we painted the living room...
for the base color. Then I am going to use the free Red Delicious Glidden paint quart I got for the top coat. Then I will sand edges and such off to make it look a little aged and have the orange peek thru! ...Lets hope it looks good!
I didn't get too far today. I got the orange done on the legs and bottom. (this picture is after only the first coat...notice the nice spot I missed!)
I will post finished pics tomorrow hopefully!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Still not hungry : )
I picked up the last of my ingredients for the "lemonade" mixture today. I picked up the organic grade B maple syrup and the organic lemons. I now have everything I need! I am excited to see how this whole thing goes and I'm interested to see how the mixture tastes.
Bob leaves tomorrow am for his annual Guys' Weekend. Usually they just go for 3-5 days, this year him and two others are doing a whole week and the others will join them on Thursday or Friday. He is SUPER excited. The trip seems to consist of drinking, shooting things, eating and drunken craziness. Haha. He always has a blast and surprisingly the injuries seem to be limited...well, since I've known him at least.
I am excited for him to go, because I know he'll have a blast...but at the same time I know I'll miss him. However, like I said before, probably better he won't be here in case I do get cranky with no food!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Detox start...
Today was the first day with no 'real' food...I think I did well tho. Only actually felt hungry once really. I have to say tho, I'm already looking forward to a HUGE bowl of mac-n-cheese with red, yellow, orange & green pepper, jalapeno, onion and a lil veg stock to thin it out!!! I CAN'T WAIT to make that the minute I can eat real food again! So...13 days and counting!!! (this includes the last day of ease in and ease out)
So, wish me luck, it's started!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Project list
(don't mind the messy writing)
- Repaint small table I got for $5 to put in our pantry for beer makin' supplies
- Redo the 'espresso' tray I posted earlier
- I have an idea for a sign to make for my entry way
- Find/make and organizational box for bathroom shelf
- Finish the scrapbook style cookbook
- Make produce bags to possibly sell at Farmer's Market next Thursday
- Make 'business' cards to put on produce bags
- Re-cover and paint legs on foot rest posted earlier
A lot are just a few hour projects, so hopefully I can come up with some more to make the week go faster. I also hope to do lots of cleaning and organizing in the house!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
This is just how much we love...
The last post about makin' beer made me think I should show you guys our beer bottle collection. It's not that we're lushes...we just really enjoy trying new kinds of beer. Finding out what we like, don't like and what makes us cringe.
These are the tops of our cupboards. Most have been added my me prior to Bob moving in (over a long period of time, no worries). They are all different kinds of beer I/we have tried.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Beer Makin'
First, the ingredients...
It starts brewin'...