Thursday, June 30, 2011

Girl Pre-teen and Teen Summer Craft Idea (Sewing)

I wish I could sew. Honestly, I have not tried. Unless you count the buttons and a few loose things here and there. Oh and surgery on stuffed animals. But, a machine and sewing, I've never tried. Guess I just think I will manage to mess it up and break a machine or something.
Anyway, here is a super cute idea for those the do sew and want to get their girls involved.

Click here to find a free pattern for a summer top
Super cute. :)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Make Your Own

I am going to try to share crafting and fun ideas for kids of all ages this summer.
Today's is a "Make Your Own Bubbles!"

Recipe:

1 cup water
2 tablespoons light Karo syrup or 2 tablespoons glycerin
4 tablespoons dish washing liquid

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Recipe Round Up- Blueberry Crunch Parfait

Blueberry Crunch Parfait
Blueberry Crunch Parfait recipe

what you need

2 cups fresh blueberries
2 cups vanilla low-fat yogurt
2 cups whole grain cereal flakes with blueberries

Make It


ADD blueberries to yogurt; stir gently until well blended.
PLACE 1/4 cup of the cereal in bottom of each of four parfait glasses.
TOP each with one fourth of the blueberry mixture; cover with remaining cereal.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Money Saving Monday-June 27th

No local listings this week. I am taking the week off so this post was written a while ago, as were all the posts this week.
However, here is a cool site to check out for Money Saving Ideas.
grocerysavingtips.com/

Also, if you want local deal ideas or store ideas head over to For the Mommas.
Enjoy!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Crafting-Chalkboard bubbles!

Oh this was so cute! I just had to share it with all of you! Check these out!The photo was taken from the tutorial on Jordan Ferney's blogspot.
They are too cute! I think we will have to make some this summer!No wood involved.
Check out the link to learn more. Seriously awesome!!! :)

Jordan Ferney--chalkboard talk bubbles tutorial

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Recipe Round Up-Chicken Fajita Roll Ups

Chicken Fajita Roll-Ups
Chicken fajita roll-ups found at that link.



What You Need
2 tsp.oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1 large each green and red pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1/4 cupKRAFT Light Ranch Dressing
4 whole wheat tortillas (10 inch), warmed
1 cupKRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1-1/2 cups shredded lettuce

Make It


HEAT oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 1 min. Add peppers; cook and stir 8 min. or until chicken is done and peppers are crisp-tender. Remove from heat. Stir in salsa and dressing.
SPOON chicken mixture down centers of tortillas; top with cheese and lettuce.
ROLL up tightly. Cut in half.
TACO BELL® and HOME ORIGINALS® are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Special Extra
Sprinkle chicken with 1 tsp. chili powder before cooking.
Substitute
Prepare using 8 (6-inch) whole wheat tortillas.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Recipe Round Up- Wave Your Flag

Wave your flag cake recipe
Wave Your Flag Cake recipe

What You Need

4 cups fresh strawberries, divided
1-1/2 cups boiling water
2 pkg. (3 oz. each) JELL-O Gelatin, any red flavor
Ice cubes
1 cup cold water
1 pkg. (12 oz.) prepared pound cake, cut into 10 slices
1-1/3 cupsblueberries, divided
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

Make It


SLICE 1 cup strawberries; cut remaining strawberries in half.
ADD boiling water to gelatin mix in large bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice cubes to cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until ice is melted. Refrigerate 5 min. or until slightly thickened. Meanwhile, cover bottom of 13x9-inch dish with cake slices. Add sliced strawberries and 1 cup blueberries to thickened gelatin; stir gently. Spoon over cake.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Cover with COOL WHIP. Arrange strawberry halves on COOL WHIP for stripes of flag and remaining blueberries for stars.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Plan your Own Camp Day!

What you need?A group of crazy friends with kids
An organizer
Supplies for whatever kind of Camp you will hold
A date
Timeline (the organizer is in charge of that)

What it equals? FUN! Tons of fun! Sometimes the fun can be a bit messy!

We've done this a few years for a small group of our friends. Guess who is the organizer? :)
It's fun for the kids and grown ups alike. Last year was a blast. I know this year will be too. Yes, I have the planning started and even started gathering supplies. Because faces like this are what warm my heart!!!!
Had to post a picture of one of my friends cute little ones. Isn't he all kinds of adorable??
Boys + Messy = Fun!

If you want more information on how to do this, let me know. I am happy to share! But, just wanted to throw out the idea.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Money Saving Monday- June 20th

Greetings everyone!
Ok, so this week, things are going a bit different.

Where is your favorite Farmers Market? Do you have a Favorite Stand?

Now for a small run down on the deals in the area.

Darrenkamps:
Question for you all? Have you noticed that the reduced produce bin has not been out at Darrenkamps recently? Or am I totally missing all the deals?!? I notice bananas get there a bit. But, really that is all I have seen.

Weis Deal: can be found by clicking here

Giant Deals:
Hershey Park deal can be found here
Other deal can be found in full by clicking here
However here are a few highlights:
BOGO
use $.50/1 printable coupon
Use $1/1 Dole Salad Blend, exp. 6/30/11 (SS 05/15/11)
$1.50 after coupon
Use $2/1 Kashi Product printable$1.00 after coupon
Use $0.50/1 Newman's Own Dressing, Marinade, Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Popcorn, or Drink printable
or use $0.50/1 Newman's Own Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Lemonade, Marinade, Popcorn or Cereal, exp. 7/30/11 (RP 06/05/11)
as low asw $1.00 after coupon

Friday, June 17, 2011

Capture It returns with Foggy Days!

I know I sound totally crazy, but I do love to photograph on foggy days. The light is so soft and it changes by the minute. (I like that challenge). Fog can be used to your advantage, but since it behaves differently you have to know how to use it. The best way is to go out and try it.

Fog can provide a flat even light which is great for photographing children. You don't have to worry about what direction the sun is coming in from and it can give you a sense of freedom.

You don't want to use your flash in fog though because the water droplets can reflect the light and end up looking like dots on your image.

A foggy overcast morning on the beach with a child...oh that would be fun!

See fog? Get out there and try it out, you just might like what you see.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Summer Activity Jars


We have our Summer List ready to go, I swear (not really, but ya know the saying I swear), Little Man keeps adding to our list. It's OK though, I LOVE having him home and being able to do cool things with him. Whatever is cool in the eyes of a Little Man that is. :)
These jars are such a cute idea! I just had to share with you.
For the Full Details and FREE printables head on over to The Crafting Chicks.
They also have a super cute grab bag idea for summer as well. How fun!

Questions for my readers and this requires you all to leave comments too! Please do, a girl doesn't like talking to herself ya know. :)
1. What are your summer plans and how do you come up with them?
2. What are some of your favorite blogs. I am going to try to get my list ready and on the sidebar over the next few weeks.But, wondering what blogs I should be checking out. Point me in the right direction folks!
Happy Summer Day to all of you!!!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Double Dog Dare You!

Have your kids take the borders challenge this summer.
After all they Double Dog Dare you!
You can find the form here.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Father's Day Ideas

Here are some very cute Father's Day ideas! Or at least a start for you to get your brain rolling!

But, if this list leaves you wanting more be sure to check out Thirty Sixth Avenue Blog as she got a few more together over there. Especially those of you that will be gifting ties!

There is a cute photo idea over at the Crafting Chicks just click here!

Dad's Token Tin for all the ideas and a free Printable go here!


Father's Day +Paint Samples=Cute crafty gift to get the idea go here.
eighteen25 blog again!













Father's Day Tie Box: This super cute idea was taken from eighteen25.blogspot.com. I've mentioned this blog before. Bookmark it now. It's just so cute!!! The idea was from Martha Stewart. The template is found here. Go to the blog to get all the details.
eithteen25 blog. I heart that blog can you tell?!



















A&Wesome Dad:
From Nothing but Country
You can find the printable for this project here
Trophy for Dad:
http://crafts.kaboose.com/trophy-for-dad.html for the instructions on this craft.

Family Fun has some cute Father's Day ideas as well.
Check them out here!

Pop-Fizz idea:
You have to go check this cute blog to see the Father's Day idea and then get your own free printable to create this for yourself. You can go there by clicking here

Father's Day Pop 009 copy
photo is from WhipperBerry Blog



Hope this helped get the ideas going for Father's Day! Enjoy!!!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Money Saving Monday-June 13th

This weeks posts will be full of Father's Day Ideas and Summer ideas.

Darrenkamps Deals:
Eggs (large) .97

Buy 4 General  Mills Cereal and get $6 off your order when you use your card

Green's Ice Cream $1.99 each WYB 3
Blueberries 2/$4
1.29lb peaches

2.99lb strawberries

2/$4 Organic Carrots

See their special Procter & Gamble Savings here

Some of the GIANT deals this week. For more check out For the Mommas

Buy 3 Cards and Get $5.00 off Instantly Free after instant savings ** This doesn't include the .99 cards like it did last time. Boo Hoo!
BOGO
Use
$0.50/1 Arm & Hammer Carpet & Fabric Odor Eliminator Powder printable
or use $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent printable
or use $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Product, exp. 6/30/11 (SS 04/10/11)
or use $1/2 Arm & Hammer Product, exp. 6/30/11 (SS 04/10/11)
or use as low as $2.24 after coupon and BOGO
BOGO
$1.49 after BOGO
BOGO
BOGO
$1.49 after BOGO
Use $2/1 Kashi Product printable$1.00 after coupon
BOGO
WEIS Deals for more see For the Mommas
BOGO $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Product, exp. 6/30/11 (SS 04/10/11)
$1/2 Arm & Hammer Product, exp. 6/30/11 (SS 04/10/11)
BOGO $1/2 Arm & Hammer Laundry Product, exp. 6/30/11 (SS 04/10/11)
$1/2 Arm & Hammer Product, exp. 6/30/11 (SS 04/10/11)

BOGO
BOGO
BOGO

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Bonus Post for procrastinators and even the planner

If you didn't get your teacher gifts done yet, I wanted to post another idea and show you my take on it. Or if you are not a procrastinator, but rather a planner. Here is your idea for next year! :)
Here is a box of teacher goodies post

I decided to make ours a little different on the front. If you like the teacher subway art for the box, leave a comment with your email (I'll delete the email portion before the comment gets posted if you want me to) or send an email to me and I will be sure to send the file your way!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Recipe Round Up- Sensational Side Salad Ideas

Let's end this week on a food note. Don't worry Capture it Friday's will be back soon! Have any of you seen the movie/documentary Food, Inc?

1. Take advantage of Giant's Dairy Deals. You can freeze yogurt. :) There are some GREAT deals. For the Mommas has some listed on her site!
2. Here are some Sensational side salad ideas can be found here. Thanks to Kraft! I might be crazy, but I would leave the miracle whip out of these.

what you need


Take 1/3 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing and mix & match your recipe from these options . . .
main ingredient options fruit choices add-in possibilities
3 cups broccoli florets1 chopped Granny Smith apple, 1 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup chopped red onion1 Tbsp. each sugar and vinegar, 1/2 tsp. dill weed
3 cups cooked pasta shells (about 1-1/2 cups dry)2 cups halved red grapes, 1/2 cup green onion slices1 Tbsp. lemon juice, 1/2 cup toasted PLANTERS Walnut Pieces, 1 pkg. (3 oz.) ATHENOS Crumbled Blue Cheese
3 cups bagged coleslaw blend1 cup each chopped cantaloupe and sliced strawberries1 Tbsp. honey, 1/4 tsp. poppy seed
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained, rinsed1 chopped mango, 1 cup corn, 1 each chopped red and green pepper2 Tbsp. TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa, 1/4 tsp. chili powder

Then follow our 3 simple steps:



TOSS main ingredient and fruit in large bowl. Set aside.
MIX dressing and add-ins until well blended.
ADD to salad; mix lightly. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until chilled.
TACO BELL® and HOME ORIGINALS® are trademarks owned and licensed by Taco Bell Corp.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute
Prepare as directed, using MIRACLE WHIP Light Dressing.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Blog this summer and a website for you to check out

I need to know what makes you all keep coming back to the blog.

I am serious.

As I ponder how to blog this summer with more limited time, I'd like to know why you come back. (As, recently, I have considered taking the summer off from blogging.) I know that some come for the Money Saving Ideas. But, since there are many that visit here that are not from our state or country for that matter (Welcome by the way) and read this dinky little blog, I want to know why you keep coming back. I know my writing is not that entertaining so there must be some content that I cover that makes you come back again and again. Perhaps, my dull life makes yours feel exciting? :)Whatever the case is, I am happy to have you visiting and I look forward to hearing why you come back so that I can better post for the future.
Now for those that come here to find great links to other places around the web that will inspire you. I share this website that was passed on to me by a friend.

Love Food Hate Waste This is a great site for recipes for leftovers. A quote from the site: "Top chefs, the Women's Institute, our own cookery advisor Caroline Marson and Love Food Hate Waste supporters make economic use of all the odds and ends that invariably get leftover from previous meals or forgotten in the fruit bowl or the back of the fridge... and they all taste delicious! We've added lots of new fruit and vegetable recipes from smoothies to simple risotto." I tell you it's a must check out site! I've made it a favorite in my bookmarks now.

Happy Day, everyone!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Teacher Gift Ideas... (Profound video as well)

First, before we get into the teacher gift ideas. I'd like to share this video that I stumbled upon last night. So, I decided to share it. Profound....Video on Food that if you eat food in the US you should see.

Ok here is the list of ideas for you and places to check for the ideas. But, let me start by saying that the best gifts I got when I was a teacher was the heartfelt cards and notes from the kids. They were the best. :) My students and their families always spoiled me too much though.

1.) This whole site is awesome eighteen25.blogspot.com! Check them out to find this cute little idea for a teacher by clicking here. They even provide you with a download of it for FREE! You'll love this site!
photo from eighteen25 blogspot.

 2.) Have a coffee lover for a teacher. Check out their idea of thanks latte. I told you their site was awesome!

3.) Need other ideas do I dare say she has more that are quick and easy and oh so cute. Yep she does
quick cheesy teacher appreciation gifts are found at that link.

Yes, hitting that website was a goldmine of ideas. Keep looking around there--so much to see. I love it! I don't know her at all, but can I say two words to describe her would be giving and creative.

I have more for you. Just check out the other places below!

Skip to my lou has ideas for teacher appreciation There are plenty that are listed. This is a super cute site too!

family fun and great gifts for teachers : This link provides you with lots of ideas.

So, if you are not feeling all that creative you have a bunch of ideas now at your finger tips!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Summer Blogging and Sharing a Goal...

I will be blogging over the summer although I have no set plans except Monday Saving Tips on Mondays. Waiting to hear what everyone really comes here for, but more on that later this week.

However, one thing I am considering to include on the blog (well, if anyone is interested in reading it) is my journaling though marathon training. Yes, you read that correctly. The training has been underway for just over a month now. It was on my list of life goals and I am honestly trying to remember at what delusional moment I set that goal.  The only thing I know is that I was much younger at that time.

Anyway, I have been journaling offline and thought that maybe, if you all are interested, I'll post online as well. Should be entertaining to say the least. I'm not training to run the whole thing instead right now I am training to walk it. Now, I am not talking Sunday stroll walk it. I am talking walk with a purpose walk it. :) Trying to figure out the race walking technique to speed up my time. Any tips out there?

Anyone interested in this online journal of sorts? I'll need at least 8 heck yeahs in comments to share this online. So, let me here you who is ready to laugh at me with me on this journey. I promise to put the good, the bad, and the ugly in the posts.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Money Saving Monday- June 6, 2011

 
BOGO
Use $1/1 Grande Tortilla Chips, exp. 7/31/11
 
BOGO
BOGO
BOGO
Use $0.50/1 Frigo Cheese, exp. 7/31/11 (SS 04/17/11)
or use $0.50/1 Frigo Cheese Heads String Cheese, exp. 8/31/11 (SS 05/01/11)
$2.49 after coupons
 
Buy 3 Mrs. T's Pierogies and get Giant Ice Cream or Sandwiches Free
Use $1/1 Mrs. T's Pierogies, exp. 9/30/11 (ALL YOU June '11)
$1.19 after coupon
 
Use $1/1 Dole Salad Blend, exp. 6/30/11 (SS 05/15/11)
$1.50
 
Use $1/1 Pom Lite Product, exp. 12/31/11 (SS 04/03/11)
or use $1/1 POM Wonderful Juice printable$.50 after coupon
Use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, exp. 6/11/11 (SS 04/17/11)
or use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, or Fruit Roll-Ups printable
or use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, or Fruit Roll-Ups printable
or use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, exp. 7/16/11 (SS 05/22/11)
or use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks printabl$1.50 after coupon
Use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad Mix, exp. 7/30/11 (SS 06/05/11)
or use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad Mix printable
or use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad Mixes printable
or use $0.50/2 Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad Mixes printable$.50 after coupon
Use $0.75 off Betty Crocker Cake Mix AND Frosting, exp. 7/16 (SS 5/22/11)
Use $1/2 Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack, exp. 6/25/11 (SS 05/01/11)
$.50 after coupon
Use $1/2 Deer Park Multi-Pack Water, exp. 7/3/11 (RP 05/22/11)
$4.00 after coupon
Use $0.50/1 Fiber One Bars printable
or use $0.50/2 Fiber One Chewy Bars, exp. 7/16/11 (SS 05/22/11)
as low as $2.00 after coupon
Use $1/3 Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides, exp. 6/19/11 (RP 05/22/11)
or use $0.50/2 Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides, exp. 06/19/11 (RP 05/22/11)
as low as $.67 after coupon
Use $1/2 Newman's Own Product printable
or use $1/1 Newman's Own Salad Dressing or Thin and Crispy Pizza printable
or use $0.75/1 Newman's Own Salad Dresssing, exp. 7/30/11 (RP 06/05/11)
as low as $1.50 after coupon
Use $1/1 Select Vlasic Items, exp. 6/30/11 (ALL YOU Mar '11)
or use $0.55/1 Vlasic Product printable$1.00 after coupon
 
 
$0.50/1 Fiber One Bars printable
$0.50/2 Fiber One Chewy Bars, exp. 7/16/11 (SS 05/22/11)
Use $0.50/2 Nature Valley Granola Bars, exp. 6/25/11 (SS 05/01/11)
or use $0.50/2 Nature Valley Granola Bars, exp. 7/16/11 (SS 05/22/11)
or use $0.50/1 Fiber One Bars printableas low as $4.00 after coupon
Use $0.75/1 Planters Nut Bars or Big Nut Bars, exp. 7/31/11 (SS 05/15/11)
$1.50 after coupon
Use $0.55/1 Jack Daniel's Product, exp. 7/31/11 (SS 05/08/11)
$.99 after coupon
**Dairy Instant Savings-See For the Mommas for all those options!
 
WEIS DEALS-for the full list look here!
But, she posted this little tid bit that is so helpful! There are other great sales at Weis this week, so be sure to hop over there for your low down on what's for sale.
Weis will have select Kellogg’s cereal for $2.00. The cereal includes Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran and Corn Pops.
In addition to the $2.00 sale, when you buy 10 Boxes, you get $.20 off gas per gallon. Also, there is the Passport to Adventure codes where you can get a $5.00 Gas Giftcard. There is also the AARP $10.00 Rebate (select cereals only, be sure to check that the one you are buying is included). If you can find the $5.00 Gas Giftcard on the Raisin Bran boxes – here is the deal:
Buy (10) Boxes of Kelloggs Raisin Bran Cereal $20.00
use (4) Kelloggs Raisin Bran Coupons $.70/1
use (3) $1/2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats or Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cereal in 5/15 RP
Pay $13.00
Look for specially marked Boxes to earn $5 gift Cards
Earn $.20/gal off gas
Sumbit Rebate for $10
Better than Free
There are more Kellogg’s Cereal Coupons here.
 
TARGET DEALS:
Shopping at Target this week? Check out Totally Target before you go to be sure you see the best deals to find there!
 
CVS DEALS:
If you find yourself shopping there this week, you will want to check out My Frugal Adventures for your dose of savings!
 
I am hoping by posting as many links to places that offer the full list of savings it is helpful to you in your quest to save money!
 
Here is one for you---coupons on fresh fruit! It's not often we see them, so if you love Pineapple, print it off now. I've seen pineapple for $2.99 each.
 
 
 
Happy Shopping!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Summer Labels and ideas on end of the year teacher gifts...

Doing things a bit different today. I am asking for you to share your ideas for end of the year teacher gifts. I'll compile the comments and emails that I get into a post that I will add other ideas to. I think it's always great to share. If you have a picture to go along with your gift idea, send it. Now, let's make it all easier on each other and get a great list going for teacher gift ideas.

Plus I am sharing a deal that a friend passed along. A big thanks to J for passing this along for me to share!!! :) Thank you friend!
This was in email form. She had gotten it and I am passing it along...
Friendly Stickers



Hello,

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As the leading supplier of custom stickers and labels for everyone in the family, we wanted to let you know that our laminated waterproof vinyl stickers are a great way to help kids keep track of their belongings! Many parents also like to order iron-on clothing labels that will adhere to about any fabric, or our versatile bag tags!

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Coupon Code: CAMP10
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Have a great day everyone!