Merry Christmas

I love and do not look forward to Christmas each year. The reasons why is there are so many "have-to's" christmas shopping, santa shopping, put up the tree, make shortbread cookies, think of clever gifts for extended family (not a fan) and the list goes on. Shopping for my kids for Santa is very painful. I struggle buying something that might cost a little more for their one good gift instead of the cheapy thing that won't last 3 hours. I hate spending money on SANTA!! But i love the spirit of Christmas and the nativity and the story of the birth of Christ. I love gingerbread hot chocolate, driving around to look at Christmas lights Christmas Eve, reading my children Christmas stories by tree-light each night. Well, 21 more days to go and I am determined to enjoy Christmas for what it really represents -Christ not presents.

my favorite holiday is Halloween

this is my new decorations this year ( mixed with some old) It makes me happy-happy halloween! Now, ontp the costumes... the idea came from here:http://www.theidearoom.net/2009/09/creepy-halloween-apothecary.html

Ready to pack your kids lunches?

Since we have tried to eat healthier, I have have been getting nervous about what I am going to make my kids for lunch. I will have 3 lunches to make this year. So i founds this cool website that sells these lunchbox thingies. It even came with pictures of ideas. There is also this new bento box craze too. Check them out at: http://www.laptoplunches.com/ideas.html

This lady is pretty healthy too, good ideas: http://lunchboxlimbo.blogspot.com/

Here is the picture gallery of lunch ideas: http://easylunchboxes.smugmug.com/The-Best-Lunchbox-System/Yummy-Lunch-Ideas/10136835_YSuyb#696914291_YxmUd

This is what my kids are going to have this year for lunch boxes:
http://www.easylunchboxes.com/images/BagAnd4Lunches.jpg

Well, I hope I am up for it, it will take a lot of prep work, but after while I will get used to it and it won't be a pain anymore. (Just like anything) So here goes nothin'

Stacey

P.S. how do you make the address so that you can click on it and it will take you there without cut and pasting? anyone?

Mossy

I found this idea from this blog : http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/2010/04/mossy.htmlI decides to make one too! Easy:) I think it turned out pretty good. i took a picture of the one I bought next to the one I made. Make a craft that makes me feel crafty...check!

Works great and Smells good

HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT -cost-$3 compared to $100+ with Tide

4 cups hot water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
2 cups washing soda
1 cup borax

The original recipe only calls for 1 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup of borax, but I really wanted to make sure it cleaned my clothes, so I added more.
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water, stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
- Fill 5 gallon buck half full of hot water. Add melted soap, washing soda and borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with warm water. Stir and cover, let sit overnight to thicken.
*Now the Duggar family takes an empty laundry soap dispenser and fills it half with water and half with soap. I did this, but I did not feel it cleaned good enough, so I fill it all with the soap and no water.

You can also add essential oil to make it smell. It's about 10-15 drops per 2 gallons.

I use 1/3 cup of soap per load. ( have a front loader and soft water) You can make appr. 180 loads per 5 gallons.

You can also use ivory, sunlight, kirk's hardwater castle or zote soap. Just don't use heavily perfumed soaps, it can stain your clothes.


I LOVE it, and you will too! If you have any questions call me!

pet peeeeeeeves

You wouldn't think that something like cookie sheets would drive me crazy, but they do. It's my husband, when he cooks he uses cookie sheets, lots of them. That is not the problem though. He never cleans up when he cooks/bakes. Sure, that is annoying, but THE COOKIE SHEETS! I hate washing cookie sheets. So they will stay there- in the sink- for a couple of days- until I get the energy to clean them. "sigh"

Zevia-a nice alternative

Zevai has NO aspartame and is made with stevia. The black cherry is good, and the cola but the lime twist is my favorite. Why you ask? Well, you know that nice little place called sonic? I like my cherry limeades there, but I can't have them. So I crush up fresh starwberries, blueberrries (SOOO good) or cherries and pour over my Zevia lemon lime twist with lots of ice with a straw and it hits the spot! btw no high fructose corn syrup either!