Walking Down Memory Lane...My Boys

I stayed up late last night watching old home movies of my boys. I found myself tearing up. Crazy how fast they grow up. Watching their little personalities grow and develop with them. I'm so glad I have the video function on my camera! I can't imagine not being able to see how they once were. Funny. My boys are like little clones. They make similar sounds (my oldest when he was a baby) and look very similar. The little curls on the back of their hair flip the same way.

Here is a picture of my oldest. He's my perfectionist in training. More mellow, loves to talk, do craft projects, relax, articulate, and is always content.

Here is my youngest. He's going to be the life of the party. He is a little comedian, likes things his way (hoping that's just the age...lol), explorer, snuggler, and basically a little firecracker.

They are my little Yin & Yang ;)

3 Day City Wide Garage Sale

I was gone all weekend at garage sales. The city I live in holds an annual garage sale where pretty much every block has at least 2 houses participating. Lots of traffic. But, lots of fun. My poor boys got pulled along on a walking garage sale tour...lol. I figured the traffic is a pain. So, we would just walk. So, I couldn't buy anything big. Since it wouldn't fit in the stroller. Lots of what looks to be junk. But, I have plans of making the the 2 plastic picture frames into chalkboards. One for the kitchen and one for my oldest son. I spent a whopping $.50 each...lol. Gotta love that bird...hehe. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep the clock. Might be kinda neat looking and one of a kind. Hopefully, you'll see there transformation soon.

The Perogie maker from 1984! Looks like it was never used. Only $.75 and I figure one use will make it worth it. It makes other stuff too. I'm thinking of making little pizza rolls. Joe goes through those fast. Basically, you roll out your dough, put it on top of the form, make indentations into the compartments (24 I think), put in your favorite filling, then put on a top layer of dough, use a rolling pin to create the seal and perforate the edges, flip and they all pop out! I guess I like a new tool for the kitchen.

Then my last purchase. The little Rolodex for $1.50. Guess it's not really little. I have to think of another use. My cell is my personal rolodex...minus addresses. But, the size is great and the little compartments can be removed to hold longer items. Maybe for mail on the counter. Do you think spray paint would work on it? Not a fan of oak.

Tackle It Tuesday: Rebates

Rebates!!!

Not such a good deal if you forget to send them out before the deadline. I had been meaning to get these done. So, I added it to my list of things to tackle ;)

Only took a few minutes and I should be receiving some $$$ soon ;) I even had more than pictured and got those in the mail as well. Should be over a $100 when it gets here. Not bad for taking a few minutes to get them in the mail!

Tips on Rebating:
I just started this past summer doing an occasional rebate. I don't go overboard though. But, this is what works for me. I keep the advertisement or rebate entry form in one place. Then I will add the receipts and UPC's needed in the same area. If you do them more often you could keep them in an addressed envelope ready to go. Once you have compiled everything just add a stamp and pop it in the mail.

What is on your list to get done??

Menu Plan Monday: 3rd Times a Charm

Last week was a little crazy and I got 3 meals cooked out of 5. I'll do better this week. Won't be as crazy with eating out (I hope...lol). The Spaghetti & Meatball Stew was great and super easy. My 1 yr old ate every last bite and can be pretty picky ;) This week will be full of new recipes! If you would like me to post a recipe let me know! I just didn't have enough time at the moment ;)

Monday: BLT's with BLT Pasta Salad (new recipe)

Tuesday: Bourbon Chicken (new recipe)

Wednesday: Ny Times: Creamy Macaroni and Cheese (new recipe)

Thursday: Crockpot Easy Cheesy Chicken (new recipe)

Friday: Italian Sausage Mashed Potato Pie (new recipe)

Saturday: Homemade Waffles and Scrambled Eggs

Sunday: Mama's Four Cheese Upside Down Pizza (new recipe I've had forever and wanted to try)

Happy Mother's Day Card and Tutorial

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I finally got to play with my paper ;) My boys joined in and made cards for their grandma's. I focused on my mom in Washington. I haven't spent Mother's Day with her since around 2001 :( One of the drawbacks of moving away. But, I try to visit every year. Anyway....back to the card.

Supplies:

• White Card stock


• 2 different sheets or scraps of scrapbook paper


• Printed out on white card stock "Happy Mother's Day" I outlined mine in a black square.


• Glue Stick or adhesive


• Paper trimmer and/or scissors

I made a handmade card out of white card stock. Picked the size I wanted and folded in half. Then I cut two different colors with a 1/4" border surrounding the card.Added what I call a belt ;) One strip of white paper and a skinnier strip of black.

Little man tried to help with his sneaky grin and not going to match tasty yellow marker...lol.

I then glued the saying on and tah-dah. A pretty card on it's way to my mom with a matching key fob I made (see them below). Now, go get some paper and make a nice card for your mom. It's easy and Hallmark can't compare to the TLC from something homemade.

Tackle It Tuesday: Mountain of Coupons

Holy Mountain of Coupons!!!!!!!!

I am a big couponer as you can tell from the pile of just coupons...no ads in there. I wish! I normally only buy 2 Sunday Papers a week. But, Joe's Mom, Grandma, and sometimes sister give me there coupons. So, I get them at random times. Life gets crazy and I put off the new coupons added to the pile. Well, I made it my goal to tackle this pile for Tackle It Tuesday.
Here is how I clip my coupons. I clear the table, then lay out each page and stack the second, third set etc on top. It makes a fun matching game for my son. He loves that part. See...coupons are educational too...lol. This particular Smart Source I had 8 of!!!!! Then I cut them in stacks.
Then I sort them into like piles. Laundry, free's, juice, snacks, etc. Then I file them away in my never left at home coupon holder. Which I even took the time and pulled all of the expired. That's a task in itself. It's super organized now!
It is stuffed to the brim after adding all of the new coupons!
She's all ready for Super Double coupons at K-Mart now...lol. They are doubling in most areas right now up to $2 coupons ($4!). Check your ad. It's worth the trip.

Menu Plan Monday; Take 2 ;-)

I actually followed through last week besides Friday. Joe brought home coney's from Gold Star Chilli (yum).

Monday: Bob Evans Pork Roast with Homemade Mashed Potatoes (never got to it last week)
Tuesday: Cinco De Mayo Mom's Night (Dad's night)
Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meatball Stew (new recipe)
Thursday: BLT's or BLTA for me
Friday: French Toast Kabobs (New recipe from Martha Stewart Kids)and eggs
Saturday: Italian Sausage Mashed Potato Pie (new recipe)
Sunday: Mother's Day (not sure if we'll be eating out)

How Do You Store and Organize Your Recipes?

Domestic Craftiness ;)
I have been thinking of finally beautifying my recipe collection...aka stack of index cards. I really want to feel inspired when I go to cook or bake. Seems like a win/win. I try to always print on a 4x6 index card. I just like the feel of a card and I have it formatted on my computer. So, once I find a recipe I just copy, paste and print. I personally like to cook with one recipe in front of me. Plus when you print your own you can add permanent notes.

So, I thought about putting the 4x6" cards into a photo album (2 slots per page). I could flip through them and have them all in one place. If I grow out of it I can have specific binders. Like desserts, dinners, etc. I can also scrapbook the dividers and the cover. That way it's personal and not boring. Plus it will be organized and easy to thumb through! I could even have the top slot be a picture with the recipe below. But, baby steps first...lol.

My other idea I have had since the lunchbox craze way back when. I actually made my mom one for Christmas in vintage inspired Granny's Kitchen by SEI. Her kitchen matched the style. Never did take a picture of it though...darn. Next trip to Washington I'll have to remember. I had made different ones that I sold to customers. A wedding planner, mom planners, and recipe holder. I loved those things. So hard to part with! I even used my oil paints for the flowers.

So, how do you organize and store your recipes?

Feeling Inspired to Craft with my Paper...

I used to be a huge scrapbooker/card maker/paper crafter. Then I recieved a sewing machine for Christmas one year and found fabric! The fabric buying was similar to scrapbook paper buying. The one good thing about paper is the instant gratification. I have been wanting to make little birthday tags to go with presents for my boys friends and all the birthday parties. I always wait till the last minute on that kinda stuff. I like to add all the details. In fact at my sons party this year a friend made a homemade birthday card. I appreciate the time and thought that goes into handmade cards. Then I was thinking I could make something for my mom. Might end up making my recipe holder. More to come!