I Finally Gave In

Colton has been begging me to let him get a Mohawk. So I finally gave in. I figured it should be grown out by the time school starts. So I gave him my version of a Mohawk. I could not totally shave the sides because his head would get so burned at the pool.

So here is his before picture:



This is after:
He is soooo proud. I am glad I gave in, it was worth the grin he has had on his face all day.

Craft Project Part II - Bedroom

This is the second part to my husband's craft project.
This is our boring bedroom before:

And this is our blue bedroom after:

We are still looking for that perfect picture to go above the bed.

The next project will be the living room. That might not be done as quickly as these other 2 rooms.

Snake Craft

This is an easy craft that all my children enjoyed doing. I love crafts that are for all different age groups.

You: will need: Foam sheet or construction paper, markers, paper plate, ribbon or string, scissors, glue and hole punch. wiggley eyes optional.

Trace the paper plate on to the foam or construction paper. Cut out the circle.

Draw a spiral shape and cut on the line.

Cut a rounded end for the head of the snake.

Decorate. You can use markers or stickers.

Cut out a tongue

Glue on eyes and tongue. Punch a hole on the tail and tie a string.

This is Colton's.

This is Cheyanne's.

This is Cody's

This is Caity's.







You can hang them. It would also make a good party decoration.

This Weekend's Big Craft Project Part I

I have been wanting to paint my Dining Room for a while now and this weekend we finally did it. I am so excited, I think it turned out great.
I am scared of color, so this was a big step for me. First, I went to Behr.com where you can download a picture of your room and try out different colors on the walls. I originally wanted brown but decided to go with this green and I just love it.
I am showing you this because I just love seeing other people's homes, especially before and after pictures.

This is the boring before:

This is the after. Now I can not believe I left it the way it was for so long. The lighting was not all that great, but you get the idea.




Part II will be the bedroom. It is a work in progress, hopefully it will be done by tomorrow.

Thanks Honey, for all your hard work.

Braces ???

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

This is one of my favorite post. I thought I would repost it because when it was first posted I only had 2 readers. I hope you think it is as funny as I do.


I think I need to work a little harder on brushing her teeth. And I need to save some serious money for dental work. What do you think ?






We decided to take her to the dentist, but she was a little scared.



But he fixed her teeth and now she is all smiles. I recommend Dr. Yankandpull.


I know this is a little silly, but I thought these pictures were cute. It was my attempt to try to be funny.
Just to give credit where credit is due, all these pictures were taken by my 6 year old daughter.

Book Club Meeting Recipes and Ideas

The book I chose for book club this month was "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger" by David Gregory. I really enjoyed this book and it created a lot of good conversation at the meeting.

Besides all the great messages in the book, I loved that the book took place in a restaurant while the character were eating. Because they were eating it allowed me to come up with a menu that goes along with the book. I always love a great theme.

First I wrote the menu on a piece of poster board and put in a frame. This told the guest the specials on the menu for the evening, like in a restaurant.

One thing I like about this menu is the things can be made earlier in the day so there is not a lot of preparation right before guest arrive. This worked out great for me because our power went out right before the meeting and stayed out for the entire time. I was not able to bake the Spinach Dip but everything else was done, so we got to talk and eat by candle light. It was a very fun evening.

The menu for the evening was:

Appetizers:
Spinach Dip and Hot Bread (in the book)
Apple Berry Salsa and Baked Tortilla Chips (not in the book, I just like it)

Salad:
Greek Tortellini Salad (in the book)

Main Dish:
Summer Chicken Salad on Croissants (not in the book) In the book was Salmon and Veal, I did not feel like fixing either one.
Dill Pickle

Dessert:
Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle


Spinach Dip recipe from Beth:

2 packages cream cheese, softened
1 can Rotel, drained
1 pack frozen soinach, thawed and drained
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1-2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Jalapeno slices for top (optional)

Mix first 5 ingredients together and then top with mozzarella cheese and jalapeno slices. Bake for 350 for 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Apple Berry Salsa from Pampered Chef

2 medium granny Smith apples
1 pint strawberries, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 kiwi, peeled an diced
1 small orange
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple jelly or apricot jam (I used apple jelly)

1. Peel, core and slice apples coarsely. Dice strawberries and kiwi.

2. Zest orange to measure 1 teaspoon. Juice orange to measure 2 tablespoons. Add orange zest , juice, brown sugar and jelly to fruit mixture; mix gently. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
16 servings

Greek Tortellini Salad (All Recipes. Com)

2 (9oz) packages tortellini
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 eggs
1 lbs baby spinach leaves
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 slivered red onion

1. Bring large pot of slightly salted water to a boil. Add tortellini, and cook for 7 minutes or until al dente; drain

2. In a large bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, parsley, oregano, and salt. Place the cooked tortellini in a bowl and toss to coat. Cover, and chill at least 2 hours in refrigerator.

3. Place eggs in a saucepan with enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and allow eggs to sit in the water for 10-12 minutes, Drain, cool, peel and quarter.

4. Gently mix the spinach, feta cheese and onion into the bowl with the pasta. Arrange the quartered eggs around the salad to serve. 8 servings


Summer Chicken Salad

2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 celery rib, thinly sliced
1/2 cup seedless red grapes
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup chopped pecans

In a bowl, combine the chicken, celery, grapes and raisins. Add mayo, salt and pepper: mix well. Stir in pecans. Serve on croissants. 2-3 servings

Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle (Taste of Home's) Yum, Yum, Yum

Needs time to chill.

1 Quart fresh strawberries
1-1/4 cup cold milk
1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 package cream cheese (8oz), softened
4 tablespoons strong brewed coffee, room temperature, divided
2 cups whipped topping
1 package (3oz) ladyfinger, split (I used half a ring of a pound cake)
6 squares (1 oz each) bittersweet chocolate, grated

Set aside 3 strawberries for garnish; slice the remaining strawberries. In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth; gradually beat in 2 tablespoons coffee. Beat in pudding. Fold in whipped topping.
Brush remaining coffee over the ladyfingers. Line the bottom of a 3 quart trifle or glass serving bowl with half of the sliced berries, grated chocolate and pudding mix; repeat layers. Cut reserve berries in half; place on trifle. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
12 servings.


This is a great summer menu for any get together with friends.

Works For Me Wednesday

Today's tips from me are easy cleaning solutions. These are good if you are trying to save money or if you just run out of your favorite cleaner and need a something quick in its place.

First, if you have stainless steel appliances you can use white vinegar to clean them. It takes off fingerprints and whatever is stuck to them and leaves them shiny. I just love this tip.

Also for other cleaners recipes:

All Purpose Cleaner

1 Gal. water

1 cup ammonia

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup baking soda

Pour in a spay bottle to clean shower, toilets and sinks.

Daily Shower

8 oz concentrate cleaner ( such as Lysol)

16 oz isopropyl alcohol

water

Mix the 2 cleaners in a gallon bucket or jug. Add enough water to make a gallon. Pour in a spray bottle. Clean your shower well before using. Use this spray for daily use to keep off water deposit and soap scum.

Stain Pre Treater

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup ammonia

1/2 Wisk

1/2 water

Mix everything in a spray bottle and store. Spray on grease and food spots and wash as you normally would.

For more great tips, go to Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks In My Dryer.

Make Your Own Hot Air Balloon

Here is a fun and easy rainy day project, make you own plastic bag hot air balloon.

You Will Need:

Plastic bag (no holes)

Needle

Plastic Cup

Scissors

Strong Thread

Hair Dryer

Cut the handles off the bag.

Sew stitches around the open end of the bag. Pull the threads together to form bag into a balloon shape.

Cut bottom off the cup. You can decorate it.

Sew the cup to the bag. 4 string hanging equally around the cup.

Fill the balloon with hot air from the hair dryer.
Watch the ballon take off.

Then we went outside and used the air compressor and the lawn blower to watch the balloon fly.

Pretty Yarn Flowers

I think these yarn flowers make a pretty bouquet. They are easy to make and do not need to be watered. These are flowers young children can make with some help from an adult.

You will need: Yarn, pipe cleaner, pom-pom scissors and glue.

Take the yarn and it around your hand or

Around a piece of cardboard about 30 times.

Slide the yarn off your hand or cardboard. Pinch the yarn loop

and twist the pipe cleaner tightly around the center.

Pull the yarn around to look like a flower.

Glue the pom-pom in the center of the flower.