Messy Braid Up

I am all about getting my hair up and braided lately. I just need it out of my face and up since I have packed all my hair stuff and they are waiting for my in Denver!

This first I braided my hair back off of my forhead. Then next is a waterfall braid to one side then a french braid to pull the bottom half up Then I threw it in a very mess bun. Took 5 minutes. Easy Quick up do!

Christmas gifts

Footie Jammies

I don't know if your kids pj's started to look like this???? 

I have two boys and we are going through pjs so fast. The boys of the footie jammies are fine but the feet are full of holes. My kids live for footie Jammies because they hate to have cold feet. Well on out tight budget I decided to fix the jammies!

I had an old pair of jeans that I need to throw way so I grabbed those and went to work....

 My boys were so excited to have no holes. My oldest even brought out the rest of his pjs for me to fix. It only took me 15 minutes to do. (Which is great time since I really have never sewed)

I hope this help someone out there with a tight wallet!

Homemade laundry detergent close to a penny per load!

So this is supposedly a penny a load when all is said and done.. It sure makes a lot and you hardly need any. It smells super yummy too my whole house smells great when I use it. 

All of this can be Boughy at Walmart for around 23 bucks. It makes like 3/4 of a 5 gallon bucket. Put all ingredients in the 5 gallon bucket OR if you can it mix it in a storage been it makes mixing it all really easy. I used the small side of a cheese grater to shred up the fels naptha ....or if you have a good enough food processor cut it into chunks and throw it in there. I like the shreds better but its a bit time consuming. Mix all together and enjoy! I use the plastic containers from the purex crystals to store it plus the lid is a great size for measuring for each load. You only need to fill the lid about 3/4 full. Let me know what you guys think!

1 (4lb 12 oz) box of borax

1 (3 pounds 7 ounces) box of Arm and Hammer super washing soda

1 (3 lb) container of oxy clean

4 bars of Fels naptha soap

1 (4 lb) box of Arm and Hammer baking soda

2 (55 oz) containers of purex crystals....I like lavender scent best!

Sour Cherry Pie

My neighbor had a tree full of sour cherries. I had a chance to go over and pick a bunch! My kids were so excited to eat them but found out that they were "grossly" sour. Ha it was a hoot! I was planning on making a pie from point one.
My mom has a pie crust that she has used it always but I wanted to try something different and I am so glad I did it was amazing! My neighbor gave me her pie filling recipe it was amazing (I may add 1/4 more sugar cause my boys still thought it was too sour)
To make it pretty I took cookie cutters and made the stars to make it pretty! My boys loved helping me with that part!   ~~~ Enjoy!

Filling:

4cups pitted sour cherries
1 cup sugar
5 Tbsp tapioca 
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4  tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp vanilla 
1 pinch salt
2 Tbsp butter diced up


Pie Crust:

This is where I found the pie crust recipce it was amazing and super easy!   http://www.danamadeit.com/2011/12/day-3-never-fail-pie-crust.html

Never Fail Pie Crust

(makes 4 single crusts)

4 cups flour
1 Tbl sugar
1 Tbl salt
1 3/4 cup vegetable shortening (non trans fat, such as Crisco or other). You can substitute butter or a mixture of both. Shortening makes the crust a bit more flaky and is easier to work with.

1 Tbl vinegar
1 egg
1/2 cup water

Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut-in the shortening with a fork or cutting tool (or you could give it a whirl in your food processor for a bit).

In a separate bowl mix vinegar, egg, and water. Add it to the flour mixture, stirring with a fork until moistened. Use your hands to mold into 4 equal balls. The dough may be frozen and thawed for future use.

When ready to bake a pie, flour your surface and roll the crust starting from the middle and moving out, till it’s about 2 inches larger than the size of your pie dish. Remember when working with pastries to handle it as little as possible so the gluten doesn’t become overworked and tough.

Gently roll your dough into a loose log or around your rolling pin (this is the easiest way I’ve found to transfer it into the pie pan). Lay it in the pan, unroll the crust, and gently fit it in-place–don’t pull or tug on the crust. Use a knife to trim the uneven edges, leaving about a 1-inch overhang. Tuck the overhang under on the edge of your pan. Then use your fingers to pinch the edges for a decorative finish.
And you have a beautiful pie shell ready to bake!

Weighted Sensory blankets

When Noah was a baby there was NO getting him to sleep without a very very tight swaddle. In fact we swaddled him all the way past 1 year to get him to sleep. Once we started therapy for his autism spectrum disorder they told us that was common for kids with autism and that he  would benefit from a wieghted blanket. My mom bought the stuff for me to make his weighted blanket over a year ago and I just haven't gotten around to it. Well here we are he is 2 and a half and we are back to him never being able to get himself calmed enough to sleep. He rocks and rocks and rocks. So I figured I would buckle down and get it done . I brought the stuff to make Livy one too.

It was very simple.  About 1.25 yards of fabric for each side....plus a 5 yard by 2 inch strip for binding, and however many pounds of plastic pellets you desire. Do not use beans....they aren't washable and once they get damp they will get moldy. You can by a brand called poly pellets.....but I found the cheapest surprisingly was a generic brand at Michaels for doll making. It cost me 30$ for livy's verses 70 for Noah's when we bought the brand name kind. It took me about 3 hours per blanket. 

You sew three sides together around the edges.   Then sew vetical columns in between those. Then put the poly pellets in each column and sew across.   And repeat. I did a 1/4  cup of pellets in each 4x4 square ....the finished blankets are about 7.5 pounds.... They should be about 10-15% of your child's weight. I went a little heavier so they could use them longer. They are by no means professional looking but so far the kids LOVE them and are already dragging them all around the house. We will see if it helps tonight at bedtime!

I know one thing for sure.. IMA sew me one I love them myself its very comforting to have on!

A little princess fun

Just had some fun today with a simple inside out braid.

Bachelorette Party

I had the chance to throw my girlfriend a bachelorette party! I had a blast. I kept it simple for a couple of reasons on budget and number of people that came. 

Here is the invite that I sent out... It turned out so cute!

 

Yes we went pole dancing and it was a blast. I loved it if the bride and friend are up for it go! you will love it... I did and I was the fat girl in the back laughing at myself :)

At the park we had some food and games and advice

 ADVICE: First off I had everyone write a couple words of advice and had them pose with a fun prop. This was cheap and so fun to look back and see in years to come :)

 FOOD: I had a whole bunch of food, sadly people who said they were coming didn't show so I had a ton of extra food... 

these are two different sandwichs. 1st is a pinwheel tortialla with ham or turkey 2nd is a tuna roll. I think I enjoyed the pinwheels the best. These are both so easy to make. 

 Fruit bobs just used pineapple, watermelon, strawberries and bananas. I stuck the bobs in a cut out of a watermelon. 

 Cake Pops. My husband and I did the drizzles together :) if you would like to learn how to make these go to. http://www.outsideofthebluebox.blogspot.com/2012/12/cake-balls.html

 Last but now least is lemonaide I used my mason jars, cut out paper over the lids to make it look pretty. I added 3 different fruits, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries. 

 GAMES: We played two different games it was quiet fun! Here is where I found the games at  http://www.weddingfavorsunlimited.com/Free_Bridal_Shower_Games.html

It was a super fun party!!!!! Hope this helps you with some of your ideas.

Parmesan Cheese Lid

Great Idea!!!!

I went to my sisters today and saw this. Take your parmesan cheese lid and twist on a mason jar. Now you have a lid you can use for anything. Oh the things I could use this for. Looks like we will be using a lot more parmesan cheese so we can get more lids :)

I think I would use it for:

-Sugar

-Coco

-Spices

-Rice

-Oatmeal 

Any more ideas please share :)

What a Slacker!!!!!

I have been a slacker I have made a couple new things but I never blogged about them... grrrrr sorry about that.... But great news I got a sewing machine for my birthday!!!!! 

Look at this beast:) Stephy gave it to me as a birthday present What an amazing FRIEND!!!!

I am excited to get started on a project!