Back to School Tees…on the Cheap

...back to school tees - on the cheap. Check out what we made today using fabric pens and these really fun "doodle-pop" embellishments at Michaels.

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=as0293

So simple - yet so cute.

The bright colored embelishments were actually iron-on embroidered art doodles.  I just used one white, and one black fabric pen and added some of the backfround designs.  (Swirls, stars, hearts, little buildings...honestly - anyone can do it!)

They also have some "flocked" matching iron ons that you can use to add detail (see the octopus photo).

Everything, including the transfers, tees, and pens cost me less than $20!

Click the link above for more information...and don't forget to grab your online Michaels coupon!

Sweet & Simple Summer “Bling”…Scrabble Tile Necklace Pendants

Do you need an inexpensive "pick me up" for your summer wardrobe?  I do.  I love adding a little splash of color to my otherwise dull summertime tanks and tees but I am not crazy about spending hundreds of dollars on matching necklaces & earrings.

Here's a simple and unique solution...scrabble tiles!  Recently I purchased a simple silver chain at Hobby Lobby (for less than $5.00).  Next, I visited Etsy.com and searched for some simple pendants and found these wonderful, bright and unique Scrabble Tile pendants.   Most are available for less than $5.00.

These cute pendants make it easy to add a little "flair" to your summer wardrobe without breaking the bank.  I simply swap out the pendant in the morning to match my outfit...  I purchased four for $20.00 so now I have four unique looks for less than the cost of a single necklace.

10 Reasons to Have Family Meals More Often

When was the last time your family had a meal together?

I don't mean sitting in the car munching on burgers from the drive-through. I mean sitting down at the table and sharing a home-cooked meal. If you can't remember when you last enjoyed a family dinner, make plans to have them more often.

Experts have found - and continue to discover - plenty of benefits for both children and adults when families have dinner together at least three times a week. I know...I know, it's not always easy, so click here if you need help with meal planning and grocery shopping.

Here are 10 reasons why you should have family meals more often:

Good For The Body

1. When families eat together, everyone tends to eat healthier. People who have frequent family meals consume more calcium, fiber, iron, and vitamins B6, B12, C and E. It could be because home-cooked meals are healthier than fast food and restaurant meals. (Source: Archives of Family Medicine)

2. Children tend to eat more fruits and vegetables when they frequently have dinner with their families. They also tend to eat fewer snack foods. (Source: American Dietetic Association)

3. Children in families who eat dinner together are less likely to be overweight (Source: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine). This makes sense, given the findings in #1 and #2 above.

Good For The Brain

4. Children from families who eat meals together get better grades than their peers who don't have lots of family meal times (Source: Lou Harris-Reader's Digest National Poll). So family dinners are not only good for the body; they're also good for the brain.

5. When families eat together frequently, children have better language skills compared to kids from families who don't have family mealtimes often. (Source: Harvard University) Good For Emotional Health 6. Children of families who eat together report feeling happier and are more optimistic about the future, than their peers who have infrequent family meals. (Source: Lou Harris- Reader's Digest National Poll)

7. Teenagers are less likely to use drugs, smoke, and drink alcoholic drinks, when their families eat together regularly. (Source: Columbia University)

8. It may come as a surprise, but among Moms who work outside the home, those who have family mealtimes reported feeling less stress than those who had family dinners less often. (Source: Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal)

9. The more often teen girls had meals with their families, the less likely they were to have symptoms of depression and suicidal behaviors. (Source: University of Minnesota)

Good For Family Bonding

10. Eating together gives family members the chance to communicate and build relationships, something that both adults and children appreciate very much. (Source: Nutrition Education Network of Washington & Oprah Winfrey's "Family Dinner Experiment") I hope these reasons motivate you and your family to try and eat together more often. We're all busy - even children have plenty of after-school activities.

But as the list above shows, family meals are worth every effort we put into them. It helps to plan ahead so that we're not scrambling to get dinner ready or panicking because we don't have all the ingredients we need.

To make it easier to get the family around the table with a home-cooked meal, check out Dine Without Whine's menu planning service. It cost just a penny to try it out!

Crazy Crayons: A Fun, Inexpensive & Creative Classroom Gift Idea

It has been insanely cold here this week so instead of sending the kids outside to play, we've been creating gifts for our neighbors and their teachers & friends.  Yesterday, we made cookies & pumpkin bread...today is "crazy crayon" day.

I found this "recipe" on Martha Stewart and thought it would be a really great "rainy day"...(or just plain bitterly cold day) craft for the kids and I to try.  Once they were completed (see photos) the kids decided that they would make a great gift for their friends at school.  I couldn't agree more.

Here's how we made ours....

• We gathered up all of our crayon scraps (we used about 40 crayons and parts to make 10 crazy crayons).
• Then, I put the kids in charge of peeling.  (This takes awhile so you may want to pop in a movie or turn on some holiday music while they peel).  If you plan ahead, you may want to soak the crayons overnight or for a few hours so they are easier to peel.
• Next, I sliced the crayons (using an old chopping knife) into pea-sized pieces and sorted the chopped crayons into small bowls by colors - (reds & oranges, blues & greens, blacks & greys, etc...)
• After that, I let the kids sort the pieces into muffin tins.  We talked about "earth tones", primary colors, holiday colors etc...as they put the pieces into the muffin holes.
• Finally, I baked the crayon pieces in a 200 degree oven for 15 minutes.  You may need to bake them longer or shorter...they will look like liquid when they are completely melted.
• It takes an hour or so for the crazy crayons to become solid so I put mine in the freezer when the kids started getting impatient.

That's it!  Wa-la...a fun, educational & "green" craft project & gift idea.

We are going to make more later this week and put them into cute baggies for a little gift for the kids' classmates.

Over Stuffed? 10 Great Leftover Turkey & Stuffing Recipes

 

I am crazy about Thanksgiving & Christmas Day leftovers.  I am not sure why, but sometimes I think the turkey & stuffing actually tastes better the next day (plus, I am a huge fan of fresh turkey & swiss sandwiches). 

This year, we have an abundance of leftovers and I thought I would stretch the leftovers with some creative leftover stuffing & turkey recipes.   I tried the first one last night and it was fabulous! 

If you are "over-stuffed" check out these leftover turkey & stuffing recipes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1).  Breakfast Stuffing Frittata

2).  Turkey & Stuffing Bundles

3).  Turkey and Stuffing Soup

4).  Turkey Casserole with Stuffing

5).  Turkey Broccoli Pie

6).  Turkey Strata

7).  Turkey Soup with Stuffing Dumplings

8).  Stuffing Stuffed Mushrooms

9).  Stuffing Bites with Cranberry Pesto

10). Stuffed Shells

...add your own leftover stuffing tips and ideas in the comments section....

Frugal Living: Vintage Inspired Kids T-Shirts on a Budget

Ironically - I was in the process of saving some money by making my own shrinky dink necklace pendants (I'll share soon

) when I came across these awesome vintage inspired free iron-on transfers from HP.

I frequently save money by making my own iron-on kids shirts...but these are above and beyond anythi

ng I've ever created on my own.

Here's a sample...and here's the link. Enjoy!

PS - Wouldn't these make great Christmas gifts?

12 Essential Rules to Live More Like a Zen Monk

I just stumbled upon this article and thought I would share it.  Chances are, you've never sought advice about parenting & motherhood from a Zen Monk.   Continue reading this article to find out why you should....

 

I’m not a Zen monk, nor will I ever become one. However, I find great inspiration in the way they try to live their lives: the simplicity of their lives, the concentration and mindfulness of every activity, the calm and peace they find in their days.

read more | digg story

Do you Freecycle?

If not, you should. 

I heard about Freecycle.com about a year ago and assumed it was a glorified garage sale "free box".  You know what I am talking about.  The box filled with crap like stuffed animals and broken Happy Meal toys that no one wants....

Boy was I wrong.   A friend reminded me of Freecycle the other day.  He loves to cook and wanted to purchase a pressure cooker but couldn't afford it.  He joined Freecycle and posted a message..."Wanted: Pressure Cooker" - within two days he was trying out his brand new (to him) pressure cooker recipes.

I wasn't completely sold, but joined anyway.  I am trying to downsize a bit so I figured I could at least use it to declutter a bit.  

Part of my downsizing plan means getting rid of the gym membership so I posted...."Wanted:treadmill"..."If it is collecting dust at your place, let it collect dust at mine instead". =)   

Within 24 hours, three people responded.  This morning...instead of driving to the gym, I ran for 20 minutes on my new (to me at least)...and surprisingly nice treadmill.

This weekend someone was giving away a trampoline....

This morning, someone was giving away a plethora of baby items including a crib, bassinet and car seat. 

Tonight...I am going to give away a computer monitor, keyboard, kids' games and mouse. 

It is an absolute blast.  I love reading the posts.  I am anxious to grant wishes...and I am really excited to share my pile of pre-pregnancy jeans with someone who may actually be able to squeeze into them!

Click here to get started....

A Mom Finds A Few Clever Ways to Save Money

It seems like saving money is all the rage lately...chances are, you'll enjoy this cute clip from Lifetime

Use Your Freezer to Save Money on Groceries

 

I spent part of yesterday at Costco and left with sticker shock - and LOTS of milk.  =) 

When the price of milk started to rise (dramatically) I begin looking for ways to save money on our grocery bill.  The price of milk at our local Costco store is usually half the price at our local grocery store.  Therefore, I did a little research on freezing milk and learned that it is possible, simple and it does not harm the quality of the milk. 

Since the prices of nearly everything else are rising as well, I thought about ways to buy additional items in bulk and freeze them (like cheeses, breads, eggs, etc..)

Here are a few useful links I discovered in my search.

 

• USDA - Food Safety and Freezing
• How to Freeze Food and Save Money
• 30 Day Cafe - Once a Month Cooking (Freezer Cooking Guide)
• A Guide to Freezing Cheese
• Refrigerator & Freezer Storage Guide
• Freezing Vegetables

Hopefully they will help you make a dent in your rising grocery bill as well.

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