Stocking Holders

All around me, I've noticed moms holding on to random containers and turning them into things.
I did this one night when I made chili and looked at the cans. I washed them out and set them aside.

My sister was married this last October...and she has no Christmas decorations. I really brainstormed how I could make some for her, because I am not a buy at full price kinda girl!

Here's what I came up with:

I spray painted two cans with gloss black spray paint (she loves black & silver). Hot glued heavy river rocks in the inside for added weight. Hot glued black coat hooks ($3.06) and silver snowflake ornaments (4 for $1) to the front & back. To cover the top I hot glued some faux black leather. I think they turned out adorable. She loved them too! Two stocking holders for around $4!

Apple Container Reuse

Around Halloween, Granny Smith Apples were on sale at Costco in this wonderful container. I knew the container needed to be saved for something great!

The plastic apple holder folded in half and snapped into place at the corners.

My son's teacher's birthday was this month. I made her cupcakes with purple sprinkles...although the picture does not reflect that, because my husband was on a black & white kick with the camera...and I couldn't figure out how to change it...he calls it job security when I can't figure out technical things...whatevs! Haha!!

It was the perfect container to transport cupcakes and give as a gift. I always keep labels on hand to print off whenever I need them. I slapped a Happy Birthday Label over the Granny Smith one and Wa-La! Cupcakes ready for travel in a cute package with no need to return to sender! Love it!!!

Have you discovered Shutterfly?

My sister got married this past October. I threw her a Breakfast at Tiffany's shower in August. I planned all year for it, from the moment she was engaged! I had every detail planned out, decorating even the bathroom. When it was over, I knew I needed to capture it all for her. I uploaded all of my pics to Shutterfly and made my sister a 8x8 hardcover book as a keepsake. When it came...her only words were "WOW". She was so impressed with the book and it's quality.

Shutterfly has a simple path program(http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books/simple-path), in which the pages are already planned out and you just need to upload your pictures and drag them into the order you want. Even if you love to scrapbook, the pages look like you did! I could add captions to each page. In her case I added love quotes or quotes about sisters. The quality if Shutterfly books are outstanding! They will stand the test of time. Plus they don't take up as much space as my bulky scrapbooks! My kids love their books that I have made for them as well.

Check out Shutterfly today! Here's where you can get started:
http://www.shutterfly.com/upload-pictures

Here are some pics from her shower:

Breakfast on the go!

My kids have to be at school at 7:45am! Since we attend a Charter school, it is a bit far from our house, we have to be driving away no later than 7:15am to be on time. Which means, breakfast is often served in the car!

I came across a recipe for pizza scones in Family Fun Magazine. I altered the main ingredients by using breakfast items instead of the pizza ones.

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheese
  
• 1/3 cup finely chopped sausage
  
• 3 large eggs scrambled
  
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 Tbs. sugar
• Maple syrup

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Scramble up three eggs and let cool. Also cook up the sausage, I used fully cooked microwaveable turkey sausage.
  

• Add buttermilk to the dry ingredients. Stir until the mixture forms a sticky dough.

• Lightly fold in the cheese, eggs, and sausage.
  

• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead the dough until it holds together, about five times. Divide the dough in half and pat each half into a 1-inch-thick disk. Slice each disk into four wedges.

• Brush each scone with maple syrup.
  

• Place the wedges on a lightly greased baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake them until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve the scones warm or at room temperature. Makes 8 scones.

Dry Erase Love Notes!

My friend Rhonda and I have our annual all day shopping day on Labor Day weekend. We hit all the clearance racks everywhere! Super fun day! Anyway, while she tried on some clothes at Anthropologie, I noticed the dressing room attendant would write each girl's name on their dressing room door. It was an oval shaped mirror. Once the girl left she would wipe it away with a cloth. So here is my version to my little guys, that they will find in the morning above their sinks! Make sure it is a dry erase markers! Just like the ones that teachers use on their
Wipe Boards.


This one is for my reader!















This one is for my learning to read guy!

Making Memories!!!

Our $6 Blueberry Pie

Rinsing the Blueberries!

Cooking & Popping the Berries!

Our Pie!

Enjoying the Fruits of his Labor!

After we picked blueberries this summer, my Five year old kept asking to make a blueberry pie. When we (I) finally got around to it, the blueberry farm had closed for the season. Blueberries were on sale for $1.79 a pint at the store so I bought 2 pints to make our pie!

Our recipe came from the Blueberry Farm's Website!

Chet's Blueberry Pie
1 Baked Pie Crust
4 cups Fresh Blueberries
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup sugar (adjust to berries)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
pinch of salt

In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tbls water.
Place one cup of the berries and 1/2 cup of water in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 4 to 5 minutes stirring constantly until berries begin to burst.
Then while stirring constantly add the cornstarch mix, the sugar, the salt, and the lemon juice. Simmer while stirring for one more minute until translucent.
Remove from heat and quickly fold in remaining 3 cups of berries.
Spoon mixture into baked pie shell and allow to set at room temp for 2 hours.
Great with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Goodwill Fun - an unexpected good time!

Who knew that the Goodwill could be a fun, exciting activities for kids?

We went this week and spent 1 1/2 hours inside looking for treasures.

My boys are 7, 5, and 1...so shopping isn't on their to do list....EVER!

Lately, their treasures include VHS movies...they are usually 99cents.

Of course Mom says, "YES!"

Don't worry, Mom found some treasures too!

Just not sure what I will do with mine yet!