Freezing Rain Weekend!

So how was your weekend?  Here in the upper right hand corner of the Nation it was very cold but very nice on Saturday because at least the sun was out.  It was too cold to enjoy the outside but it was nice to see the sun streaming in the windows.

Sunday it was freezing rain.  The Patriot's played in the freezing rain and that is the kind of game where those of us at home watching the game are very glad that we are not AT the game in the freezing rain but rather we are home with hot cocoa and a fire going.  WAY TO GO PATS!!

Since I'm not a football fan (can I say that and still live in the North East?) I decided to craft.

I've been really admiring the place settings I've seen on Pinterest lately and really wanting napkins.  Not the paper ones that we buy for the holidays or birthdays but real cotton, cloth napkins.  But Oh My! the prices I saw on Amazon made my Scottish  blood boil over.  So into the fabric bins I went.

I think that a really good size napkin is at least 16 x 16 inches so all I needed was material that was at least that size.  I started cutting  my material and matching it up.  I cut the material 17 x 17 inches.  I figure as long as I'm making one why not back it with a matching fabric and then have have 2.

If you're using new material, make sure to wash, dry and iron it before you cut it up but I was using what I had on hand.  So it was already washed, dried and ironed.

With right sides together, sew all the way around the material, leaving  an opening in order to turn the material right side out.  

Clip corners, cut close to the edges and turn.  

 Then you can top stitch to give it a nice finished look.  Use either a matching or contrasting thread.  Once it's all sewed, fold into thirds and fold in half and you have a great napkin.

August decided to hold down the ones that were done.  He's good like that!

In all I got 8 two sided napkins which really means I have 16 napkins.  Make them to match your kitchen, match the season or holiday.  Use the material you love.  I made some Frozen ones for the grand girls.  They are never too young to learn about napkins. If you don't have material large enough for napkins, how about using Fat Quarters?  Since they come already matched up, according to color schemes, it would be easy to get several napkins out of them.  Think I have a reason to go to the fabric store now.

Did you craft this weekend, what did you do?

Reusing those store bags

Last month I took part in the February Photo Challenge and one day the topic was "closet".  Being true to the challenge, I took this photo:

It's the shelf that I want to focus on so here is the just the shelf:

The shelf  was just covered with stuff and I really didn't like the looks of it so I went to work cleaning it out. I took out my 3 big bags and set them on the floor. The bags are marked "TOSS", "KEEP" and "GIVE". Within a few minutes all 3 bags were filled. The TOSS bag gets emptied right away in the out going trash and the bag itself goes back in storage. The GIVE gets emptied into my car and when I head out it gets dropped off  at Family Outfitters where it will once again finds a good home and gets used for its purpose.  The KEEP goes back on the shelf but I just didn't want to re-stack the shelf so here is what I did.

I went into the bag of bags and dug out those bags that came from stores where the store name and logo are on them. There is something about giving a gift in a Sears bag that takes away from the gift, but the bag I still have (I am Scottish remember). I pulled out a Sears bag, 2 Verizon bags, a Hallmark bag and a few others. Took the items that I wanted to keep and put them in the bags.  

Inside them are my visors, purses and other items that that I will use this summer and the shelf is clean, neat and better yet, no cost to me. 

Just some of my visors inside the bag

Another bag holds purses

The end result is a clean shelf in the now clean closet. Just wait till all those sweaters and sweatshirts get put away!!!Oh Yeah!

How about you, do you find a new use for those store bags?

Making Your Home a Haven: Simplify

I want to join Monica today on Making your Home a Haven.  I find that I feel at peace, and have a sense of living in a Haven when things are simple.  I long to have my life simplified.

Simple things are beautiful things.

Get the clutter off the table and set out simple place mats over a table cloth. To me it looks inviting and even if it is just Hubby and I, the table looks ready to invite more.

Lit candles in a dark nook add a soft glow to that nook.

Candles add to any seasonal decorations, and the smell of them can add to the meal. Pumpkin candles really add to the meal when dessert is pumpkin pie, don't you think?

And how many of you reminder the Fly Lady tip to "Shine your sink" before you go to bed? There is just something about walking into the kitchen and the sink is shinning back at you, welcoming you into the "Hub of the Home"

All simple ideas to make your home a haven.  How do you make your home special for the special people living there?  

Recipe of the Week:Orange Marmalade Muffins

The other week, just before Father's Day I was looking to make something different for breakfast. I get tired of bacon and eggs, sausage and eggs, ham and eggs, cheese and meat omelets, and steak and eggs, pancakes and ham - I know - I eat these a lot and still lost 35 pounds and my cholesterol came down! Any how, I digress.

Looking to see what I had on hand I decided to try putting together something different and here is what made.

Looks good doesn't it? 

 Here is what I used:

1 cup Almond meal

1 cup Flax seed meal

4 eggs

2 teaspoons Baking Soda

1 Stick of Butter (real butter) melted

1/3 cup1/2  & 1/2  (next time I'm using heavy cream, I was out at the moment)

1/3 cup Sugar free syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring

Sugar Free Orange Marmalade

Mix everything but the orange marmalade - it will be thick so don't worry.

Spray the inside of your muffin pan and drop by table spoons into the muffin pan. Top each one with a bit of the orange marmalade and push it down just a little bit.

Cook in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for at least 20 minutes and then begin to check them. Take out when a knife comes out clean, let cool and enjoy. 

I got 12 of these and Hubby really liked them. Now for those of you who are thinking they are light and fluffy, they are not. They are denser and you will not be hungry for a long time.

Oh, the carb count. Each muffin has 1.5 carbs. So I had 3 of these. Hubby had 2 of these with some cold cereal.  I didn't have room for anything else. Do you live low carb? I would love to have some of your recipes, so do share.  

Next time I'm trying it with Sugar Free Strawberry Jam!!!!!! YUM!

Recipe of the Week: "Frozen Hot Chocolate"

WELCOME TO SUMMER! Yup - it's summer today so have something Summer today. Maybe you put on your flip flops, or how about some pink nail polish? Maybe a cookout or a summer salad? How about a big glass of lemonade or other summer drink?  Speaking of summer drinks.....

We have some Starbucks around here but we have Dunkin Donuts EVERYWHERE. You can find one within about 10 minutes driving in any direction you travel and their ads are on every few minutes and frankly, I like their prices and their drinks better than the other brand.  Well lately they have a commercial for Frozen Hot Chocolate - sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it.  Well, I looked up the nutritional information for their drink and here is what I found - a small has 95 Carbs and  430 Calories. Now I don't count calories and I don't drink a small so I looked up a large. Are you ready? 860 Calories and 190 Carbs!!! OUCH! When I'm hot and want something cold like this to drink, I would get the large (after all I get the large ice tea).

Needles to say, I have never bought one of these and instead decided to create my own low carb version. Ready to join me?  Here is what you need:

1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

3 Tablespoons Un-sweetened cocoa

1/3 cup Heavy Cream

2-3 teaspoons Sugar Free Syrup ( I used there chocolate flavor)

Whipped Cream

6 Ice cubes.

Put it all (except the whipped cream)  in a blender and set it on high and let it all mix including the ice cubes. Poor into a tall glass and top with whipped cream. I got 2 of these glasses full and still had a little left in the bottom of the blender.  

OK so here is the carb count for all of this - ready? 2 - that's right, 2 carbs for 2 tall glasses of "Frozen Hot Chocolate". Since I've never had the Dunkin Donuts version, I really don't know how the taste compares but looking at their ingredients, I don't want to try it either. I really liked this and if you change up the sugar free syrup you can change out the drink.

Use Vanilla syrup and have a Frozen Vanilla Hot Chocolate

Use Caramel syrup and have a Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate

Use Raspberry syrup and have a Frozen Raspberry Hot Chocolate

You get the idea right? Any how it costs less, all the ingredients I found at my local stores. Easy to make, no lines, no waiting and no tipping -unless you like to tip of course.  

Oh the extra left at the bottom of the blender?  I added coffee to it and got a Frozen Dunkaccino; something Dunkin' Donuts doesn't even offer but their small hot Dunkachino has 35 carbs and my frozen large has less than 1!!!!  

If you want to look up the nutritional value for yourself, here is the link to Dunkin Donuts

Summer Flip Flops Here I Come!

There is a fun flip flop swap happening over at Running Away? I'll help you pack.  I don't know about you but I love my flip flops. I have a pair that has a little bit of a heel so my back and arch are supported, So much better than the very flat flip flops. I have a few but when I heard about this swap, I wanted to jump on board. You sign up and give your size and best colors as well as your email and then you get a name and contact info to send the flips flops to.  There is a spending cap of $15.00 and that is good.  Want to join in? Head on over and sign up.

WOW WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN!

What a week it has been!  If you watch the 3 big news stations you see all sorts of things about today's big wedding. Yes it is fun to see a normal girl become a princess. Prince charming, horse drawn coach and all! It's fun to dress up and pretend that they will live happily ever after. But what really bothers me is the amount of time these 3 stations are giving this story! Really!? All day, every day, talking about what Kate's hair will look like, the color of her dress - will it have long sleeves or short?  Do we really need to know what she will eat for breakfast today?  Is that news?  Look below:

Turn the channel over to some of the cable channels and you will see what is happening in our own country. The tornadoes that have been happening here in the southern states over the past few days -it breaks my heart.  I hear from some "Well, what can I do?" There is a lot you can do. Here are just a few suggestions

1.    Pray! Those people need so much. They may not know if loved ones are alive and have no way to reach them. They need your prayers for safety, shelter, food, clothes, to find loved ones and for peace of mind and spirit.

2. Donate. You can send money to the Red Cross - test REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10.00. Donate to the Salvation Army, or your local church to relay your donation down to a sister church down south and let them decide how best to spend it. They may use it to cook meals, wash clothes, but blankets or baby formula, you can be sure they will use it to help others.

3.    Donate blood. There are injured people down there and the doctors need your blood to help save lives.

4.    For those living down there or near the towns, if something blows your way- photos, birth certificates, wedding photos, purses, wallets or anything else, turn it in to local police. Some people lost everything and getting something back will mean the world to them. Wouldn't you love a picture of the person you just lost? Or even to find your purse or important documents.

5. Pray some more. They need all the prayers you can give.  Have a great weekend everyone and I'll see you Monday, Lord Willing.

Quick Tip Friday: Quick Low Carb Snack

This is a great Low Carb Snack that I really like to munch on while watching a movie, or needing an after work snack that will not ruin my dinner. All total it has 2.5 Net Carbs and it's very filling.

1 oz. Reduced Fat Cream Cheese

2 TBLS Almond Butter

Pork Rinds

Mix the Cream Cheese and Almond Butter together and Microwave for about 10 seconds and then mix it again.  Dip your Pork Rinds in and enjoy.  The Almond Butter has 2 net carbs for 2 TBLS and the cream cheese has less than 1 while the pork rinds has 0 so have as many of them as you want.  All total this was 2.5 (I counted .5 for the cream cheese since it has less than 1 per servings but not 0 per serving.)

Have a great weekend and remember that this Sunday is the first day of Spring.  How are you celebrating? Are you celebrating? Lord Willing, I'll see you here Monday.

Quick Tip Friday: What to do with Christmas Cards

The cards from this year hanging as you walk in. Thank you all!

Outfit # 29, I've been Nice - how about you?

Today is Christmas Eve, and you may be running around trying to get the last bit of shopping done. Or maybe you are still baking those special cookies. The house is beautiful, the tree may be filled with all the gifts ready to hand out.  So with all you may still have to do, I am thrilled that you stopped by for a quick visit. Impressed really.  As you look at all the cards, or email you got this year, do you have plans with what to do with them after Christmas? Well since I'm Scottish I keep them and reuse them next year. 

I cut the cards in two and toss out the part where they signed there names. Now if the card has a really nice verse on it, I may keep it to use the verse for further use. I will hold onto the picture cover part of the card for a year. So these pictures are from cards we got last year.  Here some options that I do with those cards.

1. It becomes a gift tag for a large gift.  Keep the size as is and just punch a hole in it and write then name of the new recipient of the gift. Attach to the new gift. 

2. If you need a small gift tag, cut part of the card, glue it to card stock and punch a hole then attach it to a gift. Sometimes the back of the card has a small photo that is perfect for this. That is what I did here.

Use scrapbook scissors to cut out the part of the card you like.

Glue it on top of matching card stock, punch a hole it it and use yarn to attache it to the smaller gift.   No more buying gift tags, no more tossing out great cards to the land fill, no more writing on the gift with a Sharpie and you get to see all the cards all over again!

3. Using craft sticks, create a frame  and take some of the cards to place on the back, rub the top with glue stick and let your little ones shake some glitter on top and hang your child's work of art.  

Thank you for stopping by on such a busy day. I so appreciate it! Have a blessed day today and Tomorrow. Laugh, Love, and now Stop reading blogs and go hug someone! While you're at it, thank the Lord for someone to love.  Lord willing, I'll see you Monday.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

Quick Tip Friday: Chalk Board

Outfit # 22 and still counting. 8 more to go. One of my favorite spots in the house!

I did this project a few weeks ago but just got around to posting about it.  I have seen lots of chalk boards in kitchens and thought how cool they all were. I figured one day I would get around to making one and finally I did.

I started with this very old and much used pizza pan that had seen it's better days. After I scrubbed it really well to get the old grease and rust off of it I put it into a box in our garage, because it was too cold to do this project outside. And I mean cold, that week was the first week we had temps in the teens!!!!

Spray paint comes in either the "paint on type" or the "spray on type" in either Black or Green. I chose the Black spray on type.  I found mine at a craft store but I think you can also get it at a hardware store. Make sure the box is nice and deep if you are in an area where you can not do this outside. The spray is very fine and will go everywhere!
I started with 2 back to back coats.

Wait 24 hours and then I added another another 2 coats spraying in the opposite direction from what I had done the day before and waited 24 hours more before I took it out of the box.







Before you use it, "season it" by rubbing all over it with chalk then erase it - and that is all there is to it.

The first message was of course about coffee!

Hanging on the wall when you walk in.  I like my bright  kitchen!

Because I used a Pizza pan it's magnetite - here is a note to our Grandchildren!

Have a great weekend, be thankful for your life, smile at someone and Lord willing, I'll be here Monday. 

Quick Tip Friday: Pine Cone Fire Starters

OK, so the Christmas rush is on and you just remembered that you needed a gift for a family member. But your budget is spent - what to do? Or you have a good friend and you would love to make her something that she would use? Or you are a crafter that loves to create. Here is a fun fast craft that would make a great gift as well. If you have friends with fire places who use them then these are fun to make and make a great gift for them. Or make them for yourself and use them watching a Christmas Movie with the ones you love. It's also very easy on the wallet.

Here are the supplies:

Collect pine cones if you live in a area where there are lots just laying around. I had some great friends give me some from there yards.

Gather wax - either store bought or candles that have lost there scent, or too small to burn anymore.

Crayons to color the wax if you want to add color or change the color.

Double boiler for crafts -I use a old coffee pot and put it inside a larger pot with water in it.

Pot holders ----Tongs

Cardboard egg crate plus another egg carton lid -you will need the extra lid only the first time because you can then reuse that lid over and over.

Rainbow Flame Crystal (optional)

Wax paper

Start by putting water in the large pot and your wax/ candles in the smaller pot. Melt the wax/candles on med low heat and watch the water to make sure that it doesn't burn dry.

If needed/wanted add the wax crayons for color

In the meantime, separate the egg carton and place the part that holds the eggs inside the lid. Tear the other lid into small pieces and place those pieces inside the egg cups.

I used 1/2 of the lid for this.

Take the Flame Crystals and pour it into a large ziplock bag.

Once the wax is melted and colored the way you like it, take a pinecone and drop it carefully into the wax. Use the tongs to make sure that the pinecone is completely covered then lift it out and let the excess drop off. Place it in the ziplock bag and shake the bag coating the pinecone and then place it on the wax paper. Do another one till you have enough for each egg cup.

Using pot holders, slowly poor wax into each egg cup on top of the small pieces of lid, and top with the cooled pinecones. Slowly poor a small amount of wax over the top. Let cool completely and then remove the bottom lid and cut the cups apart. You can now place them in a bag or box of your choice and give them as a gift. When you are ready to light them, light the cardboard cup no wick needed! See simple.

You can also coat just the pinecones with wax and the crystals and just let them dry on the wax paper, then toss into a burning fire to add color to it. Put them in cute box (or crate) or bag them in a cute Christmas theme bag a you now have two easy gifts to give to those who have and use there fireplaces. Have fun!

Christmas Outfit #15 of the day: Have a Blessed Weekend everyone.