Planted Garden

This year I decided to plant more veggies & fruit! My only problem was since we are moving in a few months, I couldn't plant anything in the ground - they all had to be planted in pots so I can take them with me. SO, I found veggies that grow well in pots, and got right to it!

Here is a list of what I have, so far:    :)

*Lettuce: Romaine, 2 kinds
*Spinach
*Lettuce: (I forget this one)
*Chives
*Cilantro
*Pepperocini
*Strawberry
*Tomato
*Green Beans

What I learned about gardening this batch so far: 

*Lettuce only needs morning sunlight & shade for the rest of the day.
*Strawberry plants are suppose to be easy to grow & don't require that funny looking pot to grow. A 12" pot is best.
*Lettuce grows excellent in pots!
*My new tomato plant is growing faster than last years (almost time to turn it "upside down")!
*You can grow different sorts of veggies/herbs/lettuce in the same pot. You can even plant them with flowers.
*Not all pots have holes on the bottom for drainage. Why, I'm really not sure since I'm pretty sure whatever you plant (food or flower) NEEDS drainage. Therefore, I had to use some extra manuel labor and drill holes in the bottom of yes, every pot.

Tuesday's Trash to Treasure: Coupon Binder

Coupon Binder Tutorial
Reuse: Office supplies

Materials:
*Binder
*Page protectors
*Baseball card sheets
*Tabbed dividers

This tutorial is super easy, and most people will have all of the materials laying around their office/home already! Let me start off by saying, I'm not a huge coupon-er; but I don't mind saving money, so coupons are my friend! Compared to most, I definitely don't have TONS of coupons, but I love being organized, so a binder is perfect!

_First off, you need a binder. What size? That's up to you. How many coupons do/will you have, how often will you use it, etc etc. I personally do not use many coupons simply because we eat mainly fruit, veggies & meat (not a lot of the "junk" food like many coupons are for). And for cleaners, toiletries etc, I do use coupons for those, but not many since I hate having product just sitting there (totally opposite to those who truly coupon). SO, having said all that, I personally use a 1.5" binder.

_Next, you'll need something to keep your coupons in: sheet protector or baseball card sheets. I use baseball card sheets so I can see all my coupons. 

_Now, to get even more organized, grab some tabbed dividers and make categories for the coupons. If you need help starting, follow this website & they have FREE print outs for each category!

Happy New Year!

This New Years Eve we had Mexican food, so here are a few recipes we used.

Guacamole

*1 packet guacamole mix
*1 Tomato
*3-4 Avacados
*Cilantro
*Lime Juice
*1/4 Onion

Cut guacamole and mash in bowl. Mix in seasoning packet. Dice tomato and cut onion into fine pieces. Mix the rest of the ingredients into bowl. Add a few drops of lime juice. 

Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs

*Shortbread, cubed
*Strawberries, sliced
*Almond Bark (Vanilla), about 5 pieces
*Skewers


Melt almond bark in microwave safe bowl per directions on package. Put strawberries & shortbread on skewers, then drizzle chocolate on top. (I laid mine on a tray with wax paper for easier clean up)

Tomatillo Salsa

*1lb Tomatillos, husked
*1/2 cup finely chopped onion
*1 tsp minced garlic
*1 serrano chile pepper, minced
*2 T chopped cilantro
*1 T chopped oregano
*1/2 tsp ground cumin
*1 1/2 tsp salt
*2 cups water
   *If I make this again, I'd use less water. It came out too watery for me. 

Place tomatillos, onion, garlic, and chile pepper into a saucepan. Season with cilantro, oregano, cumin, and salt; pour in water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the tomatillos are soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
Using a blender, carefully puree the tomatillos and water in batches until smooth.

Salsa Credit: All Recipes

Tortillas

*4 cups Flours (all purpose)
*3/4 cup vegetable oil
*1/2 T Baking Powder
*1 T Salt
*3/4 cup Warm Water

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil and water and start mixing. When the dough is firm enough, knead it a bit on a flat surface. Break pieces off about the size of a golf ball & place them on a floured surface (cookie sheet).
Let sit for 30min with warm cloth covering them. 
Using a rolling pin, roll balls into tortilla shape. If you have a tortilla maker, you can use that :)
Cook tortillas on a flat griddle or skillet at medium heat. You don't need any oil on the skillet. Cook about 1-2min each side. 

Macarons

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Macarons!! The last time I actually got to eat them were last summer on our cruise :(  I wish I could find a place that sells them in Tulsa! I did find a lady who sells them, but does not have a shop, so if I have a craving, I couldn't just "drop by" and pick some up. I've heard both that they're hard to make, and easy to make. Maybe its how much confidence you have in yourself :)  Here are a couple receipes I found...maybe one day soon I'll try to make a batch!

Maggie Mae's Macarons

I found Maggie's blog through a friend in California. I saw some birthday pics from her daughter's 1st birthday, and THESE delicious bits of color!

Eat. Live. Travel. Write

Countdown to Thanksgiving // ONE

Thanksgiving Dinner:

For the Love of Cooking blog

Craft:

Thrifty Decorating blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // TWO

Dessert:

For the Love of Cooking blog

Craft:

Cup of Delight blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // THREE

Thanksgiving Dinner:

For the Love of Cooking blog

Craft:

Ordinary Miracles of Life blog

[love the rest of her room btw]

Countdown to Thanksgiving // FOUR

Thanksgiving Dinner:

Kalyn's Kitchen blog

Craft:

Make the Best of Things blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // FIVE

Dessert:

Little Birdie Secrets blog

Craft:

DigiArt Cafe blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // SIX

Dessert:

Raising Dieter blog

Craft:

Raising Oranges blog

Countdown to Thanksgiving // SEVEN

This time around I thought I'd feature other bloggers ideas, so everything you see in the next days will be from other bloggers pages. 

Thanksgiving Dinner:
Sweet Little Smoothie blog

Craft:

Shakespear's Stage blog

Yummy [& easy] Frozen Caramel Coffee

I saw this on Money Saving Queen, and followed the links to this delicious-looking drink! This will save you LOTS of money, rather than visiting your local coffee shop :)

Frozen Caramel Coffee

Ingredients:

• Drink:
• 1 Cup Coffee
• 2 Cups Skim Milk
• 1/2 Cup Caramel Syrup (I use the kind used for ice cream sundaes)
• 1 Tsp Vanilla
• Ice
• 
  
• Whipped Cream:
• 1/2 Pint Heavy Whipping Cream
• 4 Tbsp Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 Tsp Vanilla

Directions:

Combine all ingredients for the drink into the blender with lots of ice and blend well.

In a mixer whisk together the whipping cream and powdered sugar with vanilla until fluffy.

This whipped cream can be spooned onto the drink or you can use a decorators bag and cake tip to add it. Then, drizzle with a little bit of caramel and serve.

Emergency Kit

I saw an article in the Parents Magazine a few months ago, and have wanted to start this ever since, but haven't. SO, after the earthquakes we got in Oklahoma this weekend, I decided it was TIME! You can find the article here. I modified it for my post :)

Assemble your Kit
   American Red Cross sells kits complete with food, water, breathing mask, etc. Each kit contains enough resources for one person. 

• Purchase 20-gallon plastic containers with lids (you can also purchase containers that fit under the bed if you're limited on space).
• Determine where to store your kit (garage, or on a lower level is idea).
• Have an emergency cash stash & don't "borrow" from it!
• Make "refresh" cards. These can be taped to the top of each box that details which items need to be "renewed". You will want to switch out food or other items that will expire. 
• You will need enough supplies for each person in your family, and to last you at least three(3) days.

KIT CONTENTS:

1. WATER - Have 3 gallons per person/pet in your home. If you are nursing, you will need more for yourself. 
2. FOOD - Buy canned, high-calorie foods. Good choices are chili, tuna, veggies, and soup; as well as peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, cereal bars, and comfort foods like chocolate or candy. Buy foods with similar expiration dates to make it easier to refresh your kit. If you have kids, you'll want powdered formula for babies, and boxed milk for toddlers. Remember food for your pet. 
3. FIRST-AID KIT - You can buy a standard kit and add to it. Add a couple pairs of gloves, gauze, tape and antibiotic ointment. You may also add over-the-counter medications (remember children's), since they don't come with standard kits either. 
4. "REFRESH" CARD - This lists the contents of the box, and the expiration date of medications/perishable items. 
5. DIAPERS & WIPES - Refresh your diaper sizes!
6. SUNSCREEN - SPF30 or higher
7. MANUAL CAN OPENER (got to open those cans!)
8. WATERPROOF MATCHES
9. FIRE EXTINGUISHER 
10. UTILITY KNIFE
11. RESPIRATOR/SURGICAL MASKS - To reduce exposure to airborne particles.
12. CLOTHING - Have one complete outfit for each person, including sturdy shoes, a hat & gloves. Change out kids clothing as they grow (put on refresh card). 
13. CHILDREN'S ACETAMINOPHEN - You may want to include your child's current dosage on a card (especially infants). 
14. MEDICATION - Get a seven(7) day supply of any med's you/your child is taking. If you/child is on any important med's, ask the doctor for a one-week-supply prescription to fill for your kit. Add the expiration date of med's to your refresh card. 
15. FLASHLIGHTS - One large for each adult and one small for each child who can hold it. 
16. BATTERIES - Have enough for flashlight & radio. Include a full set of replacements. 
17. BATTERY POWERED OR HAND-CRANK RADIO - American Red Cross sells one here. 
18. HAND SANITIZER - Enough to last a few days & your family. 
19. TAMPONS/PADS
20. GARBAGE BAGS
21. BLANKETS - Have one for each person. 
22. TOILET PAPER
23. 12- INCH ADJUSTABLE WRENCH - For turning off your gas line
24. CASH
25. CHLORINE BLEACH - As a cleaner and sanitizer
26. DUCT TAPE & PLASTIC SHEETING - To keep out airborne chemicals. The tape should be at least 10 mil thick; the sheeting, at least 4 mil thick. 
27. DOCUMENTS - Use a waterproof bag with one copy of important documents including: Passports, Bank account & Credit Card numbers, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, and Wills. I would suggest keeping these inside in an easy-to-get-to spot that you can grab quickly. You might add family memorabilia such as photos.
28. FUN STUFF - Keep your families spirits high with a deck of cards, coloring books, stuffed animals, puzzles or board games. 
29. WHISTLES WITH LANYARDS - So you can find each other in the dark.
30. A CORDED PHONE - One that will work when power is down.

These aren't in any specific-important order, so make note & start collecting the things which you find important to your family first. 

------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Two Ways to Protect Your Home Right Now

1. If you have natural gas, learn how to turn off the gas where it enters your home. If there's any disruption or damage to the gas line due to an earthquake or severe damage to your home, this will reduce the risk of fire. It's easier than I ever imagined, and so necessary. Purchase a 12-inch adjustable wrench or pliers that allow you to turn the valve. Then leave the tool at the site of the gas valve on the outside of your house, and add another to your emergency kit.

2. Familiarize yourself with the main water shut-off valve in your home. Practice turning it off so that if your water safety cannot be assured or if there's a leak in your pipes, you'll be able to quickly turn off all the water flowing into your home.

I haven't started our Kit yet, so as I add to it, I'll try & remember to add pictures, so maybe it will help you with yours! :)

Nov 10, 2011
***I just thought of these, but remember, this is YOUR survival kit, so put whatever you think you'll need in it:
>Utensils - spoons, forks or knives
>Cups - unless you want to drink right out of the gallon water bottles
>Napkins or Towels - for any clean up around cooking/food
>Bowls - one per person is sufficient. A bowl works because it can be used for any food. Plates would be hard for soup etc. 

13 Days of Halloween // one

Food:

Pumpkin-Chestnut Soup

Martha Stewart

Face:

Kitty

Website

Decor:

Crepe-Paper Curtains

Martha Stewart

13 Days of Halloween // two

Food:

Spooky Spiced Shrimp

Martha Stewart

Face:

Cute Witch Face

Hello Kids

Decor:

Felt Decor

Paper and String

13 Days of Halloween // three

Food:

Halloween Muffin Tin

Blog

Face:

Pumpkin

Hello Kids

Decor:

"BOO" Bottles

Blog

13 Days of Halloween // four

Food:

Halloween Brownie Bites

Martha Stewart

Face:

Ladybug

Decor:

Tissue Paper Ghosts

Country Living

13 Days of Halloween // five

Food:

Monster Cupcake

BHG

Face:

Monster

Decor:

Black Paper Flower Bouquet

Country Living

13 Days of Halloween // six

Food:

Pepita Rice Pudding

Food Network

Face:

Cat

http://savvychicmoms.com/simple-face-painting-designs/

Decor:

Bewitching Treat Jar

BHG

Tuesday's Trash to Treasure: Cone Favors

Ice Cream Cone Favor Tutorial
Reuse: Paper

Materials:
*Paper
*Scissors, Tape/Glue
*Ribbon
*Candy

First off, print this template for your cone. Use a card-stock grade paper for durability. 

_Cut out template & glue/tape side together. 

[I wrapped mine with the tab to the inside so it doesn't show]

_Next, create your own tag, or find one from The TomKat Studio

_Attach tag & ribbon to decorate cone. 

_Fill with candy!

SUPER easy! Great idea for party favors for any occasion! Color coordinate them for holidays too!