Naughty or Nice Sign – Great idea to keep those Kiddos behaving!

Click to Enlarge

$3 DIY Christmas Project, helping to keep those Kiddos in Line!
Well, probably a little late for this post. But, with keeping busy with Customizing Mugs, I haven’t had time to post a lot!
So, here’s a late Christmas Decor Post. Naughty or Nice Sign! Customized mini jars, one says Naughty, other Nice. If your child is Good, they pick from the Nice jar, treats. If a Child is Bad, they pick one from the Naughty jar, Chores they must complete (Crumbled Black Paper with Chores written on them, to look as if it’s COAL… Naughty kids get Coal!). As you can see I have: Sweep, Dishes, Kitchen, etc. (Written in Metallic Marker on Black Paper). You can have things OTHER than treats, as well. Like: Movie, Xtra 20minutes up late, etc… And, Lose 1 Toy, Lose TV for the day, etc. for the Coals. Cost me a whopping $3 to make. Wood was $1, Jars, $1 each. Paint, Twine, I had on hand. Kids LOVED it! Also, this is previous photo (I stained the Twine to match the Hanging Twine.).

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Vacation Meal Plan of Attack 2016

Here’s our Plan of Attack for 2016 (2014, 2015 Vacay Meal Prep):

—–
TIP: LOOK OUT FOR SALES-Prep few months in advance:
Frozen Burger Patties
Pkgs. Hot Dogs (Freeze)
Chicken Legs
Other Meats (Ground Meats, Bacon, Roast, Chicken, whatever)
Buns (Buy close to, but Keep Eye Out for Coupons, etc. For Purchase)
Cheese Bricks
Miracle Whip (Sandwiches/Tuna or Bacon Salad)
Canned Items (Tomatoes, Corn, Beans, etc.)
DON’T FREEZE MEATS that have been Frozen then already Thawed!
—–
 A few BREAKFAST / LUNCH Ideas:
– Lunch Meat Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, Canned Food, whatever…

 – CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES
2 Frozen Chicken Breast (Boiled in water with few CRUSHED Chicken Broth Cubes)
3T-4T canned Southwestern Corn (Peppers/Onions kind)*
2T REAL Bacon Bits
Sauce:
1 TO 1.5T Mayo
1 TO 1.5T Miracle Whip
3/4tsp Lemon Juice (Fridge kind)
–
For Serving: A lil swipe Miracle Whip, Buns/Wraps

Boil in water with few CRUSHED chicken broth cubes. Remove chicken, shred. In bowl mix Sauce ingredients. Mix in rest. Place in tightly sealed container. KKEP COLD! Eat within week.
—

 – Frozen Burritos (Any works, ours are tTt’s Sausage, Egg, Taters):
Potatoes, cubed small
Olive Oil + shake of Seasonal Salt
add to pan, add Potatoes, season with:
Dried Oregano, Basil, Pepper
–
1 lb Ground Pork Sausage, cooked with:
1/2 pkg. Frozen Sweet Bell Pepper/Onion Mix
4 Mushrooms, sliced or chopped
–
Scrambled Eggs+ Basil Oregano
–
Soft Shells
Mayo
Shredd. Cheese

PreCooking: Cube Potatoes. Mix Olive Oil with Seasoned Salt. Add to pan, add Potatoes. Cook and Season with Oregano, Basil, Pepper. In sep. pan cook Sausage with Pepper Mix and Mushrooms. On Soft Shell add All (Including Mayo, Shredd. Cheese). Butter Flavor Cooking Spray skillet. Brown all sides. Freeze single layer on plate sprayed with cooking spray (Don’t allow to touch, may stick). Wrap in Foil if using Crockpot Cooking Method (May need to Butter Cooking Spray Foils before wrapping!).
Cooking: Rub with wet finger. Microwave. Bake: Butter spray pan and tops. Bake. Or, place pre-prepped Burritos in foil that was SPRAYED WITH BUTTER FLAVOR COOKING SPRAY. Wrap. Freeze. Add to Crock and Cook on Low/Warm til warmed through. Rotate if needed.
—–

Using Leftover Potatoes (From Burger Foils) and having Frozen Pork Sausage at home, we made some tasty Breakfasts. Here’s one:

Potatoes fried in Crisco (What we had for Fish fry, if we caught any), seasoned with Pepper, Basil, Oregano, and a lil Salt. Side Aside and top with Sandwich Cheese Slices and Onions (Onions Optional). Cover to melt.
Give light wipe of Pan with Paper Towel. Cook Sausage. In same pan, in Sausage Grease, fry up some Eggs.
Pork Sausage served under Eggs. Look at those about to Burst Yolks!
Toast on Side

********* MAIN (Supper) MEALS: *********

– Frozen premade store bought Burgers/Hot Dogs
Simple… You know how to cook.
—


– CHILI DOGS
Hot Dogs/Brats (Keep Frozen til use)
Hormel Chili (Or Favorite)
Shredd. Chedd. Cheese
Buns, Ketchup, Mayo (Optional)
—–



– CHICKEN LEGS / TUNA (Or BACON) SALAD (Forgot Tuna, so made BACON Salad)

 – BBQ Chicken:
Family Size Pkg. Chicken Legs, skin removed
3T White Vinegar
1-1.5T McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning
1.5-2T McCormick’s BBQ Seasoning
–
Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ Sauce (Optional, some liked it plain, too)

PrePrep: Buy Chicken NON FROZEN!!! REMOVE SKIN! Place Chicken and Vinegar into ziploc bag. Mix Around. Add in McCormick’s Seasonings. Toss evenly. Lay Flat, Freeze!
Cooking: Thaw, cook on Grill. Near end, brush with BBQ (Optional. Tasty plain, too).

 – BACON SALAD (Was gonna be  Tuna Salad, but forgot Tuna!):
Space Saver– I bought Miracle Whip. I kept a lil over 1/2 the jar. Rest I placed into separate container (For sandwiches on vacation). Then, I used Miracle Whip Jar to store the Salad SAUCE. In jar, I did:

I kept a lil more than 1/2 jar Miracle Whip (Leave in jar!)
1+1/4tsp Lawry’s Seasonal Salt
1/4-1/2tsp Paprika
1.5T Dill Pickle Juice from Pickle Container (USE A TASTY Dill Pickle!)
1/8 tsp Onion Powder
  -MIX ABOVE INGREDIENTS IN Miracle Whip container.
-Then, add to jar, on top of Sauce (Don’t mix in):
1.5c Shredd. Cheddar Cheese
1c Frozen Peas
  -Place on lid.
-1 hour Prior to Serving:
About 2c uncooked Macaroni Noodles, cooked
Baked Bacon, cut up (Kept in pkg. Cooked day of making)

PrePrep: I premade sauce morning of trip. For leak reinforcement: I placed some plastic over top of Miracle Whip jar (I used ripped sandwich bag. Reinforced seal), twisted on top. Keep cold til serving.
About 1 hour prior to serving: Cook Bacon. Cook noodles (I add pinch of Salt and a lil Oil to keep from sticking). Mix Sauce and Bacon together. Add Noodles into Sauce, to consistency desired. Toss rest. I always have it a little saucy, as it’ll sit and absorb some. Keep cold til serving.
OPTIONAL to top with Cherry Tomatoes for Serving. You can also keep the Miracle Whip unopened, and place pickle juice and Seasoning in a small container and place into Noodle Box, place in fridge on arrival. Mix as needed. Your choice.
—–

– HAMBURGER FOILS:
Frozen Burger Patties, 1 per foil
1 Potato per foil, diced
1 bag Baby Carrots, split up (1 bag lasted 6 foils)
Chopped Onions (We used 2 small for 4 people)
1 Onion Season Pkt. (A small sprinkle per foil. It goes a LONG way!)
1-2T Butter per packet, we forgot, and a smidge of Crisco worked well!

Prep: We buy a pkg. of Frozen Burger Patties, and KEEP FROZEN til use. Doubles as ice for cooler.
Cooking: I cut vegis at cooking. Dice potatoes and cut onions. Give each person foil. Kids love making their own! Add in desired vegis. Top with butter or crisco. Add one frozen burger to top. A small sprinkle of onion pkt. seasoning. Double or triple wrap. Add to hot fire pit coals. Ours cooked in about 45 minutes (Time varies). Rotate, we didn’t flip!
Rest of burgers we had for supper another night. We also ate leftover Tuna Salad with this meal.
Healthier options: Turkey Burger. Butter Spray/Olive Oil/Coconut Oil

—–

– FRITO TACO SALAD, a ritual for a while now.
1.5-2lb Beef
2 GOOD Taco Season Pkt.
1/2c Water
1/2 can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
3/4c Salsa
1/2can Refried Beans*
1 small onion, chopped (Added right before freezing)
–
Serving: Serve with tomatoes (Canned works), fritos, sour cream, shredd. cheese, lettuce, whatever other toppings of choice.

PreCooking: Cook beef. Add in taco seasons, beans, salsa, tomatoes with juice, shakes of: Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Onion Powder.
Allow to cool. Place in freezer bag (I double bag), lay flat.
Cooking: Throw into crock. (I kept on warm, flipping.) Serve with toppings of choice.
*(If using, rest of cans we used for tacos, the night I premade meals) These are also optional. Point is, just premake and freeze.)

—–

 – SICILIAN DELUXE MEATBALL SUBS:
Sauce:
1tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 lb. Turkey Sweet Italian Sausage Links, remove from casings
2T Balsamic Vinegar
1.5T Red Wine Vinegar
1 Garlic Clove, minced
1/2c canned whole Olives, halved
1/2c Onions (I believe I did Sweet Red)
4T jarred whole Pepperoncini, minced
1/2c Sweet Mini Bell Peppers (Optional)
–
1 jar Tomato Onion Garlic Spaghetti Sauce
1 can Basil Oregano Tomatoes, drained
1 can Tomato Paste
1/2tsp Brown Sugar
1/8tsp Sea Salt
1/4 Dried Red Pepper Flakes
1/8tsp Pepper
1/4tsp Dried Rosemary
–
1lb. Meatballs (LATER ADDING-Keep frozen)
Provolone Brick (Later Adding-Freeze)
Hot Dog Buns (For Serving)

I cut my links into chunks (Can remove casings and cook as ground). Cook in Oil with Onions. Add in Garlic and Vinegars. Cook down some. Add Olives, Peppers, and Pepperoncinis. Cook down juices. Once juices are mostly gone, add in rest of ingredients. Simmer a lil bit.
ONCE COOLED… Add to Ziploc Bag, on it’s side. FREEZE. Cooking: Add Regular Beef Meatballs to Crock with Sauce. Cook on Low. Top with Cheese last 30min-1hour. Serve on Buns/Wraps/Hoagies with Cheese… We used Hot Dog Buns. Mayo/Miracle Whip is Optional.
—

(No Photo)
 – SLOPPIES
1.5lb – 2lb Ground Pork or Beef
Brown Meat, season with few good shakes of:
Basil
Oregano
Garlic Powder
1 can diced Basil Oregano Tomatoes, drained
1 can Manwich Sloppy Joe Mix
1 sm. Onion
Celery, minced

Cook all above. Once cooled. Add to ziploc bag, lay on it’s side, for flat storage. Freeze. Cooking: Add to Butter Flavor Cooking Sprayed Crock… Cook on Low or Warm til thawed and heated through. Eat on Bread or Buns.
—

 – EASY PHILLY (Stems from This Recipe and This One) 
1-1.5 lb. Chili Style Ground Beef or Pork (I used 1/2lb. Beef 1lb. Turkey-What I had)
1tsp McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning
1/2tsp Garlic Powder
1/2T Soy Sauce
1tsp Worcestershire
1tsp Dried Oregano
1 Beef or Chicken Broth Cube, crushed
1/2T Grated Parmesan Cheese
1c (Packed) Kale or Spinach Mix
Up To 1/2c Green Peppers, sliced (Don’t Add, Yet)
1/4-1/2c Onions, to taste (Don’t Add, Yet!)
–
Provolone Cheese Brick (Freeze)

Cook in skillet all above, EXCEPT Peppers, Onions, and Provolone. Once cooled, add to ziploc bag. ADD IN Peppers and Onions. Lay on side (I folded mine in half). Freeze. Cooking: Cook on Low or Warm til heated through. Top with Cheese. Once Melted, serve on Buns of Choice with Miracle Whip/Mayo. Or try packing away a small container of Tay’s Balsamic Garlic Sauce.
—

(No Photo)
 – CARNE ASADA CHILI (Stems from This Recipe):
1.5-2 lb. Chuck Roast or Chicken Marinade:
1/2 Taco Pkt. (I used Fiesta Style)
2 1/2T White Vinegar
1/4c Soy Sauce
1T Cumin
1/2T Garlic Powder
1/2T Onion Powder
1/2T Dried Oregano
1tsp Chili Powder
1tsp Paprika
–
1/2 pkg. Sweet MINI Bell Pepper Mix (Orange Red Yellow)
Onions
Mushrooms (Optional)
1 Sweet Potatoes, diced
1 can (Mild) Black Beans with Jalapeno in LIME JUICE, drained
1 can Southwestern Corn (Bell Pepper/Onion kind), drained
–
RICE:
2c Rice (Instant)
2c Water
2 Chicken Broth Cubes, crushed

Add NON FROZEN Meat to Bag. Add in Marinade Ingredients. Mix Around. Lay as Flat as you can. Freeze. Cook Rice in Water with Broth Cubes (I cook in Microwave). Once Cooled to handle, place in Freezer Bag. I flattened and Folded. Freeze.
In A SEPARATE Freezer Bag, Add in Vegis. Lay flat and Freeze.
Cooking: Add all to Butter Flavor Cooking Sprayed Crock Pot. Cook on Low til all’s done. Shred up Meat. Last hour, I wrapped Rice in Foil and place RIGHT ON TOP of Chili to cook. Serve each bowl of Chili with a lil Rice, Sour Cream, Salsa, and Fritos/Tortillas.
========

OTHER OPTIONS
– Roast Wiches (Don’t Pre Cook. Add ingredients to freezer bag, MINUS Water that the Broth Cubes call for (Takes up too much room!). Write on Freezer Bag the amount of Water needed during cooking.
– Black Bean Salad Tacos
– Root Beer Barbacoa
– Tay’s Easy Chili
– Soups
– tTt’s Trailer Trash Legs (Buffalo)
– *** Vacation Meals 2014
– *** Vacation Meals 2015

 

Some Doggie DIYs

I thought I’d share some DEEOHHGEE tips I found useful since getting our Pup.

I’ve learned so much about Large Breeds, since getting our St. Bernard/Great Pyrenees Mix. They NEED Large Breed Puppy Food to help along the quick growing. Even the later Neutering to help with growth (Hormones).

Reading TONS and TONS of info online… I’ve come to the conclusion that DIAMOND Dog Food is for us. Yes, I’m aware of the Recalls! But, seeing as his parents and he was already on DIAMOND. Annnd, our recent Family Dog did wonders on DIAMOND (Only food he could eat! The Enzymes helped his Stomach)… We decided to stick with it.
One downfall I’ve read about DIAMOND was that: For the price comparison to others similar, it was LOWER in Protein.

So, keeping that in mind. I started with some Protein Treats to help make up for it.
A few of MANY things I do:

– Dehydrated Sweet Potato with Smidge of 100% Peanut Butter with No additives, not even added Oil.
Slice Sweet Potatoes. Soak in White Vinegar and Water. Some I also sprayed with Lemon Juice, some I didn’t. Place on Dehydrator trays. Dehydrate overnight. I have kids break up to pieces and spread a very lil PB on them. They feed him. Bonding and Deliciousness!

– Slight Sunny Side Up Egg mixed into his first cup of Pup Food for the Day.
Making Many options to keep him protein happy. And, never boring.
—
 – NOW, for the Toys. I paid only $4 for all the below! Getting idears online, with my own twists, using Old Socks (I save for Dust Rags, anyway). Old Victoria Secret Yoga Pants (Has the PERFECT Stretch and Material for it!). Dollar Store Toys. And, some Regular Tennis Balls. Many Options and types keeps him happily entertained!

1.) A few Dollar Store Items for him to Choose from.
2.) A Tennis Ball with a Small Slit or X shape cut. Stick Treats inside.
3.) A long strip of Victoria Secret Pants. Wrap around your hand til it’s all wrapped around. Take another strip, tie the Center, nice and tight. Making an 8 shape (As, my “Talented” drawing shows). Cut the ends of the 8. I also tied some of those strands together to create more of a ball.

4.) Knot a sock nice and tight. Place into another sock. Knot it off. (Looks like tennis ball in it, it’s not. It’s another sock, knotted.)
5.) Knotted Sock Rope.
6.) Place small slits or Xs on opposite sides of Tennis Ball. Push (I used Pencil) Victoria Secret Yoga Pant LEG through holes. Knot off til ends.

This one uses two pant legs of Victoria Secret’s Yoga Pants. I had old Swing loop screw/bolt, screwed into tree stump. Tightly knotted one leg end to it. The other pants leg, I knotted all the way across it (Like #6 in last photo). Then, I tied the leg from tree to the center of the one similar to #6 (In last photo). I had to tie his favorite stick to it, to get him to realize it was HIS Toy and what it did… Which was Tug A War!

Please, help if you can. Even the Smallest of Donation is SOMETHING!

This past weekend as we were all going along with our business… Someone lost a Child. A Sudden and Unexpected Life Changing and Life Altering Moment that only contains Sadness and Heartbreak. Please… Anything to make this process easier would be EXTREMELY appreciated! A loss is always horrible… A loss of a child is unbearable. Please… Help, help them. I’m sorry this happened to such a “Bright Star” and such a great Mother…You, her friends, and your families are in our thoughts and Prayers.
Please, any donation… NO MATTER HOW SMALL… Is SOMETHING! And, very much appreciated:
Help a family with the sudden and unexpected costs of giving one’s own Child the Memorial ANY Parent would want for a Life Celebration and a Goodbye for their Precious Child.
https://www.gofundme.com/25hkqy4

Lazy Parent’s Kid Buffet

They have fun making them. You get the free time of making them! Win, win! I’ve, ALSO, noticed that the picky eaters ACTUALLY EAT IT, and MORE, when they MAKE THEM, THEMSELVES!!!

HIDE those UGLY Plungers (Another Great Post for in between Delicious Recipes, right?)

We like the plunger we have. When… when… the Throne backs up, no one likes standing over it for a long time, plunging it. So, a while ago, we got ourselves an accordion type plunger. Works great, less time. But, stores DON’T have storage that fit these. So, got my DIY cap on. And, here it is!
Menard’s MINI Trash Can (With REMOVABLE Inner Container – EASY CLEANING!)– Under $10
Cut hole ALONG edge (To fit handle) with Razor Blade (Careful!)
Compact, Clean, Visually better than a Plunger just sitting there! You can even doll it up with Paint or a Durable Modge Podge job.
Bam! Done! You’re Welcome!
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The Best Part of Waking Up … Is Our Idea IN YOUR CUP!

An awesome lady posted a recipe on Facebook similar to what we’ve been doing in our own home. Adding Seasons to your coffee grinds to flavor coffee. Especially, come Fall time of the year!
Loving Cappuccinos, but not wanting all the extra… We would:
– Add a lil bit of Pumpkin Spice Seasoning on top of Ground Coffee when putting into filter into machine. Then pour coffee into cup, add sweetener and creamer of choice.
– Or just Cinnamon. Then pour, add sweetener and creamer of choice.

Now, we’ve also went  a step further… Reading how Cocoa/Cocao can help curb appetites and help with the good ol’ chocolate cravings and reading the MANY benefits of consuming Organic Coconut Oil (Which also helps to curb appetites) … I wanted to incorporate these beneficial two to make a DELICIOUS Cup of Coffee. It satisfies my need, tastes DELICIOUS, and Beneficial! So, for the longest time, I’ve started my day with:

*** RECIPE: ***
– Fill cup with Coffee (Coffee size cup)
– Add your sweetener of choice
– Creamer of Choice (I use Powder)
– Add a little bit of ORGANIC Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
– Then, about a baby spoonful of 100% Pure Cocoa/Cocao Powder (Stuff you use for Brownies)
– Stir. Drink. Enjoy the Yumminess. 

---

Benefits of consuming Coconut Oil:
– Coconut Oil Contains a Unique Combination of Fatty Acids With Powerful Medicinal Properties
– Coconut Oil Can Increase Your Energy Expenditure, Helping You Burn More Fat
– The Lauric Acid in Coconut Oil Can Kill Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi, Helping to Stave Off Infections
– Coconut Oil Can Kill Your Hunger, Making You Eat Less Without Even Trying
–  Coconut Oil Can Improve Blood Cholesterol Levels and May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
– Coconut oil also has antioxidant properties and it helps in the absorption of other minerals
Among Others…

Benefits of consuming 100% Pure Cocoa/Cocao:
– 1T of unsweetened cocao powder contains 3-9% of the daily intake of iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc. In addition to carrying oxygen, iron helps make red blood cells and is essential for your immune system. Manganese is a component of enzymes that form cartilage and bones, metabolize nutrients & function as antioxidants inside every cell in your body. Magnesium helps produce energy & maintain a normal heart rhythm. Zinc is vital for the production and development of new cells, including immune system cells. Without enough zinc, the number of bacteria-fighting cells goes down and you become more susceptible to illness.
– Magnesium helps with Menstrual Cramping
– Helps with those cravings!
–  The flavonoids in cocoa function as antioxidants that help prevent systemic inflammation. Epicatechin relaxes the muscles in blood vessels, which improves blood flow and helps lower blood pressure
(Info: http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-unsweetened-cocoa-powder-5662.html)

* Of course, consult a doctor, if you’re on a special diet. These will not CURE any of the above. Just an extra boost of support to benefit a morning Cup-O-Joe. And, always use Coconut Oil in MODERATION. It is an Oil! Also, CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION should be kept minimal, for a healthier lifestyle!!! In which, Half Caff. or DeCaff. may help. And, in order to benefit from these, you would need so much to help aid. I “Believe” it was 1-2T Cocao and can’t remember how much for Coconut Oil, in a day…
Note: Cocao is MORE BENEFICIAL. it’s not entirely the same as Cocoa. Tho, Cocoa has benefits, tasty, and cheaper, it is roasted at High Temps and loses SOME of it’s benefits (But, still beneficial and tasty!). Where as, Cocao is Cold Pressed and more of it’s benefits (Like Enzymes), therefore, remain.
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Re-Posting: Old Cooking Tip- Potatoes

Years ago the moms told us of this. Cuts Baking Time, drastically!
Microwave Potatoes a few minutes (UP TO 5minutes. On average it’s 3-5 min.), prior to BAKING.
-Always microwave Potato WHOLE.
-LARGER Potatoes: I stab a few times on each side, PRIOR TO Microwaving!
-I microwave Covered.
–
OR, even quicker- Boiling! (No need for Microwaving). – Boiling Potatoes in Water with some CHICKEN BROTH CUBES (Crushed), works! Add in Seasons, if you choose (Garlic Powder, Parsley, Pepper, Etc.). Serve as you would  with Baked Potato Toppings (Sour Cream, Chives, Cheese).
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—
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Quick N Easy Garlic Toasties

Bread
Extra Virgin Olive Oil  (OR Melted Butter-Best Flavor!)
Sea Salt
Dried Parsley
Garlic Powder

Brush each side bread with EVOO, or Butter. Sprinkle each side with: LITTLE Sea Salt, Good shake of Dried Parsley, then, Garlic Powder. I give a light rub-in with finger (Or mix in bowl (Melt butter, if using.). Brush onto both sides of bread). Allow to sit a few minutes. Then, toast in toaster. Sprinkle with Grated Parm. Cheese (Optional). KEEP AN EYE ON IT!!!

Notes: You can melt butter in bowl, adding seasons to warmed butter, stir well. Then, brush on. Garlic Salt, instead… Endless options for this.
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Chicken Self Waterer

I’ve been doing this for some time, now. Never thought to share, til recent. So, here ya go. 
– Empty Gallon Jug.
– Old Pie Pan.
Poke holes near bottom (No higher than top of pan, when set in it! And not on bottom! The jug has a curve, inward, going toward bottom… I did 2-3 holes, around it, about that level.)
Fill with water.
Keep on Level Ground.
I believe you may want to poke small hole on very top, as well.
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DIY CHEAPIES – Travel Busy Keepers for Kiddos

With Vacations, we like to keep it cheap in areas that we can. Keeping kids busy is one of them. We usually go to Dollar Store and use Imagination… But, I think I can cut extra costs… Pfft… Cut cost at the dollar store… Now, that’s a Cheapskate! 

Here is an activity using everything we ALREADY HAD. Dress up the doll with felt on felt. Move pieces around to decorate her dress. Redesign over and over!
You’ll need :
Felt, many colors (You can’t see, but it’s Sparkly felt)
Glue (Glue works with felt)
Cardboard
Simple Quick Print Girl in Simple Dress
Beads, shapes, jewels, etc.

Print girl. Color. Cut out. Glue to cardboard. Cut out a variety of shapes of felt (Felt sticks to felt.).  I did lines, diamonds, etc. Glue jewels to felt. I used aspirin box and stapled to cardboard, for easier holding pieces to-be used. I stapled BACK of ziploc to cardboard, to hold pieces. NOTE: I glued jewels to longer pieces. The larger the pieces, the easier the felt sticks and holds to felt. Works pretty good, enough to keep my ladies happy on a drive.
–
Print Outs … They have MANY FREE prints available online. I print- Mad Libs, Word Finds, Find Difference, Mazes, Hang Man, Connect Dots Game, etc. 1 pk. per kid. I PREMADE a few below! Just Click and Print!
I try to fit 2 sideways per 8×11. I use back of pages for COLORING PAGES!
*** Quick Print Links: Activity 1, Activity 2 – More PRINTABLES Below (Eccentric Coloring Pages, Would You Rather Game. Look for *** ).
If you CLICK ON PHOTOS, it will go into a gallery. There will be a VIEW FULL SIZE. If you click that, it will go to full size. You can save photo at full size for Easy Printing!

Other Printouts, I do Eccentric Coloring Pages on 8×11 paper. *** Click Here to Print BELOW Coloring Pages. These are detailed coloring pages to keep busy, and take longer than the basic coloring pages. They also have themed ones (My Little Pony, Pokemon, etc.). Below are for both boy/girl and for all ages.

Another Printout I do is the “Would You Rather…” Game. Prints 8 cards per 8×11 sheet. And the kids have fun playing. Now, I have a son. So, some of these are a bit gross… But, you should hear them laugh and laugh and laugh. Usually, I say, YOU GUYS THAT’S ENOUGH OF THAT TALK… So, it’s even more fun, they get the GO!  ***(Game Print HERE, just cut and throw ones you don’t want… I now realize 1 has a typo. Oh, well. The kiddos can enjoy the laugh at, the “Typo-ing adult”! Or, I’ll pull it off as “Educational”- A candy piece for each typo found! …Because, the adult MEANT to do that… Ha! Smart!):

For Print Out – Click here

For Print Out – Click here

For Print Out – Click here

*** Would You Rather Game PRINT HERE-CLICK 
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Another activity is Funny Faces
I have a small magnetic board. I print an 8×11 with all our faces on them. I slide this print into a trapper keeper CLEAR sleeve. In a ziploc bag, I have cutouts with LIL magnets glued to back of facial features (Nose, Stache, Eyes, etc.) that I quick printed, colored, cutout, and glued magnets to back (Cutting up fridge magnets work! Make sure they’re strong).  Put clear sleeve with photos on top of magnet board. Now, they can make funny faces with our own family faces ANNNND use a dry erase marker to color on the clear sleeve. Wipe off, when done. I printed our faces first, then these (Below) in a few sizes to try to get an accurate ratio size. OR, you can just print out/draw Oval with Ears (Blank Face). They can make faces using the printed below (Which is easier). But, we find making Dad, Mom, or Sibling look silly, is A LOT Funnier!

These are the colored cutouts. Some are flipped to see the magnets glued to backs.

(Photo above is one of the BDay Party Games we did with Bday Girl’s face. Pin the Face on the BDay Girl, SUPER EASY! 4-8×11 papers taped. How-To-Do on link. You can make a smaller version for traveling.)
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Try our Wax Paper Sticker Book Idea:

Got this idea from my daughter bursting into an emotional cry over her stickers being used up. Devastation of a 4yr. old! So, I made a book out of wax paper. She can now stick her stickers, take them off, move them around. Store them on the back page. Versus The Stick and Stuck. Sometimes you can get stickers cheap, but there’s those days in which those Puppy Eyes want the $4.99 pack of Frozen Stickers, that only contain 1 sheet, you later find out! In which gets used up in less than a minute. Not forgetting if 1 kid gets stickers, they all want them!
You can trace, with Perm. Marker, pictures for them to decorate. Or a teaching tool. With spelling, where kids fill in the blanks to complete words, using letter stickers (I used address labels for black letters, bought fun letter stickers for them to fill in.). So many things that can stem from this.
My daughter makes all sorts of stories and is able to move them around for more stories. That I get to hear about for the next few hours. Which is quite hilarious, with her imagination. This craft expands the life of sticker use. Thus saving us parents money and the 4yr. old’s devastating loss of sticker use.
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Try our EASY Art Project, HERE!
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Also, I find a key to keeping occupied, are NEW things. For a long while, before a trip, I try not to let them play games, activities, etc. that I plan on bringing. This way, they aren’t already bored with it. So, no Mad Libs, Funny Face play, Doll Dress Up, PRE READING “Would you rather…” cards, etc. Until the trip. Works.  And, I have a fun Lunch Pack, which helps to avoid, “MCDONALDS, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE…” It’s a lunch, snacks, treats, SMALL drink, and a few dollar store toys (Usually, another activity). Beats the Kid’s Meal.

Bam! Done. You’re welcome…
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The “Vacay Menu” Jury has Spoken

With a vacation full of fun and relax, we wanted to do just that. Also, save space for packing vs. packing many ingredients for meals. Especially, a family our size gone a week! We premade/preassembled meals, then froze them. And, brought the Crock Pot. This technique SAVES SPACE! SAVES TIME. Food lasts longer. DOUBLED AS ICE FOR COOLER! And, it HELPS FINANCIALLY! Because, you can buy the meats ahead of time when they’re On Sale. Make and Freeze as you go. Versus, all at once … At full price.

– (Also, check out our Roast Sandwiches Recipes, Chilis, Soups, Stews Recipes, and Our Crock Pot Meals for More Ideas. You can View Our Recipe Gallery HERE. Most, if not all, are FREEZER FRIENDLY! And, Check out our 2014 Vacation Meal Post HERE)

***TIP: Try to freeze everything flat. I realize large cuts wont flatten.  But, whatever can be flattened, do so, without smooshing! Also, FREEZE whatever you can. Cheese Bricks/Slices, Prepped meals, Lunch Meats. And, PACK kids’ FREEZIES!, etc. Doubles as ice, keeping everything cool. Lasts longer!
YOU CAN EVEN FREEZE Buns! Luckily we have a toaster where we go, for quick thaw/toasting. Or use foil in Fire Pit. Or, toast on Grill. Also, awesome if you see them ON SALE at the store! Be sure to keep frozen til use. Or, they will thaw and mold!!!

I would not have picked this one, due to extra ingredients needed to bring and NEVER freezing this. But, kiddos wanted it. So, this momma provided. My plan of attack is:

– Mock Chow Mein:
2lb Ground Beef, browned seasoning with few shakes: Butter Powder, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Dried Parsley, Dried Basil
1 can Cream of Mushroom
1 can Cream of Celery (Chicken works, too)
2T Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp Worcestershire
1/4 tsp Pepper
1 small Garlic Clove
1 small Onion
1/3c Mushrooms, sliced or chopped large
1 Celery, halved long way, then sliced
1/2 4.9oz. can Water Chestnuts* (For trip, I may skip)
1/2 can Bean Sprouts, drained* (For trip, I may skip)
Rice cooked in Chicken Broth (I used 1 broth cube per 1c water, crushed)
Hard Chow Mein Noodles.

In skillet, Brown meat, while seasoning. Add in all, except rice and noodles. Simmer, covered, stirring frequently, til vegis are only 1/2way tender. Set aside, covered, to cool. Cook rice in broth (I cook in microwave). Set aside, allow to cool COMPLETELY! (You may stick in fridge overnight to be sure). Place meat mixture in Freezer Ziploc Bag, lay flat.  Freeze. Wrap rice, by 1c size, in saran wrap, tightly. (I do flat square shapes). Then, place the amount of cups of rice needed for vacation into a freezer bag, freeze.
Cooking: Place into BUTTER FLAVOR COOKING SPRAYED crock. On warm or low. Serve once fully heated through. Top with noodles.

—– Hamburger Foils:
Frozen Burger Patties, 1 per foil
1 Potato per foil, diced
1 bag Baby Carrots, split up (1 bag lasted 6 foils)
Chopped Onions (We used 2 small for 4 people)
1 Onion Season Pkt. (A small sprinkle per foil. It goes a LONG way!)
1-2T Butter per packet, we forgot, and a smidge of Crisco worked well!

We buy a pkg. of Frozen Burger Patties, and KEEP FROZEN til use. Doubles as ice for cooler.
Cooking: I cut vegis at cooking. Dice potatoes and cut onions. Give each person foil. Kids love making their own! Add in desired vegis. Top with butter or crisco. Add one frozen burger to top. A small sprinkle of onion pkt. seasoning. Double or triple wrap. Add to hot fire pit coals. Ours cooked in about 45 minutes (Time varies). Rotate, we didn’t flip!
Rest of burgers we had for supper another night. We also ate leftover Tuna Salad with this meal.
Healthier options: Turkey Burger. Butter Spray/Olive Oil/Coconut Oil

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– Frito Taco Salad, a ritual for a while now.
1.5-2lb Beef (Turkey can be used)
2 GOOD Taco Season Pkt.
1/2c Water
1/2 can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
3/4c Salsa
1/2can Refried Beans*
Little less than 1/2 can Black Beans w/Jalapenos* Optional (I may skip for trip)
1 small onion, chopped (Added right before freezing)

Cook beef. Add in taco seasons, beans, salsa, tomatoes with juice, shakes of: Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Onion Powder.
Allow to cool. Place in freezer bag (I double bag), lay flat. Day of eating, just throw into crock. (I kept on warm, flipping.) Serve with FRESH tomato, fritos, sour cream, shredd. cheese, lettuce, whatever other toppings of choice.
*(If using, rest of cans we used for tacos, the night I premade meals) These are also optional. Point is, just premake and freeze.

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Woo Hoo! Got us some Chicken Legs, huge family size, $4/pk.!

– BBQ Legs with Tuna Salad (Or our other BBQ Recipe Here):
Chicken Legs (THAWED WHEN BOUGHT)
White Vinegar
McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning
Favorite HONEY BBQ Sauce

Buy Raw (Not frozen) Chicken Legs. At home, brush the legs with white vinegar and sprinkle a little with McCormick’s Montreal Seasoning on all sides. Place into FREEZER Ziploc Bag. Make as flat as can. Freeze.
Cooking: Thaw legs. Grill. When done, slather BBQ. Flip, slather BBQ. Flip one more time, to thicken BBQ on other side. Eat!

– Tuna Salad:
Space Saver- I bought Miracle Whip. I kept a lil over 1/2 the jar. Rest I placed into separate container (For sandwich uses up there.). In the miracle whip jar, FOR SAUCE, I added:
I kept a lil more than 1/2 jar Miracle Whip
1tsp + 1/4tsp Lawry’s Seasonal Salt
1/4 tsp Paprika
1/2 tsp Dill Weed *SEE NOTES
2 tsp Vinegar *SEE NOTES
1/8 tsp Onion Powder
MIX ABOVE INGREDIENTS in Miracle Whip container.
Then, set on top, below 2:
1.5c Shredd. Cheddar Cheese
Then, 1c Frozen Peas
Add later (When time to eat):
About 2c uncooked Macaroni Noodles, cooked hour before eating
2 cans Tuna, drained (1 hr. prior to eating. KEEP IN CANS TIL THEN!)

I premade sauce morning of trip. I placed plastic over top of miracle whip jar (I used ripped sandwich bag), twisted on top. For leak reinforcement. Keep in fridge til serving. About 1 hour prior to eating, cook noodles. Mix sauce and tuna together. EYEBALL adding noodles into sauce, to consistency desired. Toss rest. I always have it a little saucy, as it’ll sit and absorb some. Place into fridge.
*NOTES: I didn’t have pickle juice from the jar, what we usually use, so improvised with vinegar and dill. Try pickle juice first. I always eyeball it. About 1T to 1.5T… About.

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– Philly Chickies (Try Chicken or Pork (Roast/Chops) with our Other Philly Recipe):
3-4 Frozen Chicken Breast *See Notes
3/4c Water
1 Chicken Broth Cube, crushed
1/8tsp Liquid Hickory Smoke
1/2tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1T + 1tsp Soy Sauce
1/4tsp Garlic Powder
3/4tsp MCCORMICK’S Montreal Steak Seasoning
Onion, sliced
Green Pepper, halved & sliced (Add last hr.)

Topping: Shredded Moz. Cheese and Mayo/Miracle Whip
Buns of choice

LIGHTLY/Barely Rub Crock with Butter. Add all, EXCEPT peppers.
Cook on Low 5hours. Shred Chicken. Allow to cool!
Place into ziploc bag, ADD IN sliced Green Pepper. Make sure tightly closed. Lay flat in freezer, freeze.
Cooking: Add to crock on low. Last 15minutes, top with favorite shredded white cheese (We used moz.) Serve on toasted buns with Mayo/Miracle Whip.

Notes: I use chicken from 3lb freezer bag, to get idea on size. Pork works, as well.

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– Tay’s Roast-ier-er Roast Wiches:
1.5lb.-2lb. Large Pork or Beef (We used Pork Butt)
2 Beef Broth Cubes + 3c Water
Onion Soup Packet
Au Jus Packet
1T Butter
1tsp Worcestershire
1 Garlic Clove, minced
1 Onion

Add all (Uncooked), EXCEPT WATER, into a Freezer Friendly Ziploc Bag. WRITE ON BAG “3c Water”. Freeze.
Cooking: Add into crock. Pour 3c water into ziploc bag and swish around to get left behind season. Pour ALL 3c into Butter Flavor Cooking sprayed crock. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Top with White Cheese (Provolone or Moz.). Once melted… Serve on buns or wraps with Mayo/Miracle Whip.

—– Pepperoncini Roast-wiches:
1.5-2lb. Pork Butt
1 WISHBONE Ranch Dressing Packet
1 WISHBONE Italian  Dressing Packet
12oz Jar Pepperoncinis, RESERVE 1/3 juice from jar, cut stems off
1/3 of Juice from Pepperoncini Jar
1c Red Onion
2 Beef Broth Cubes, crushed some + 2.5c Water
1tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Yes, this is an ingredient-Add!)
1 Garlic Clove, minced
1tsp Parmesan Cheese (Store shelf Kind) *Optional

In a Freezer Ziploc Bag, add all, EXCEPT WATER. Write on bag “2.5c Water”. Freeze.
Cooking: Add bag contents to Butter Flavor Cooking Sprayed crock. Add the water TO THE BAG. Swish around to get seasons left behind. Add water to crock. Cook on low for about 8 hours. Top with White Cheese. Once melted, serve on bun. Bring some Arby Sauce Packets for topping (Optional)

Notes: This is setting … So, another 1/4c water may need to be added. Allow to cook, if needed, then add.

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– tTt’s Sloppies (Aka Sloppy Dad’s):
Now, we usually use Turkey or Beef for these. But, we have TONS of Pork to be used. So, thus Ground Pork. Saves money!

1.5lb – 2lb Ground Pork
Brown Pork, season with few good shakes of:
Basil
Oregano
Garlic Powder
1 can diced Basil Oregano Tomatoes
1 can Manwich Sloppy Joe Mix
1 sm. Onion

Brown meat, with seasoning. Add rest. Allow to cool. Add to Freezer Ziploc Bag. Lay flat in freezer. Freeze.
Cooking: Add to crock. Turn to Warm or Low. Stirring frequently. Once heated thoroughly, serve on buns.

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LUNCH:
We plan on eating leftover burgers from the Frozen Patties (Used for Hamburger Foil Recipe above). Also, we scored some Brats on sale 99cents for the good kind! So, we have enough dogs to eat for a year!  That alone should cover lunches, with side of chips. Plus, we usually have leftovers from supper the night before, too.  You can FREEZE and pack lunch meat, as well. Seeing as we will already have bread/buns, cheese, and Mayo/Miracle Whip.

Tip: On trip up, for Lunch, I plan to make fun meal packs: Sandwich, Fruit Snack, Rice Crispy Treat, small Drink (Not too much!), Surprise Toy, Chips, annnd a wipe.

TIP: FREEZE LUNCH MEAT & Cheese Blocks/Slices, doubles as cooler ice! Thaw upon arrival.

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– Breakfast Burritos (Also, try tTt’s other Sausage, Egg, N Potato Burritos):
Eggs
Basil
Oregano
Black Pepper
Onion, chopped
Some Chopped Green Pepper
Meat of choice: Bacon or Pork Sausage (We used Pork Sausage)

Cook meat. Then cook eggs and seasoning.  Add to meat.
Add Eggs/Meat to Soft Taco Shells, with: Cheese, Miracle Whip/Mayo, Small Spoon of Salsa. Roll burritos. Butter Flavor Cooking Spray Skillet, Brown each side of Burritos. Freeze single layer on plate that was sprayed with cooking spray (Don’t allow to touch, may stick). Cooking: Rub with wet finger. Microwave or bake til warmed through. Butter spray pan if baking.
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TIP: Keep an eye out on sales. ESPECIALLY, Non-Perishable Items/Long lasting ones. Buy, set aside. Meats were on sale, too. But, buy and use those within date of use. DO NOT thaw, then refreeze meats- Unless cooked!
On top of the $4 Family Pack Chicken Legs and 99cent Brats… We scored Cereal $1/box. Chips $1/bag. Scored Cereal few wks. ago, Hot Dog last wk., Chips this wk. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinners, AND snacks… On the DOLLAR!!!

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Now, I will need to pack the ingredients- Ex.) Taco Salad (Lettuce, Sour Cream (I will pack some into smaller storage container), Fritos, Cheese)… That’s okay, because the ingredients double for other meals: Lettuce-Burgers/Sandwiches, Fritos-Snack, Cheese-Top on crockpot sandwiches/Burgers/etc.
I will plan on bringing 1 brick of WHITE cheese or WHITE shredded cheese. I’m leaning toward Mozzarella Cheese. It will go with ALL the above meals.
I will bring Miracle Whip, vs. Mayo. Kids love it. And it will be leftover from Tuna Salad. Also, it will go with sandwiches/breakfast burritos/etc.
I will bring bread (Cheaper & you get More) for Sloppies, hot dogs, burgers, breakfast toast, and lunch meat sandwiches (In case I bring a pkg. meat, but, I probably won’t. There’s enough meals to have leftovers, and not to forget the hot dogs and burgers!). Buns for rest of sandwiches. Taco shells, because I like wraps vs. sandwich buns. Taco shells work great for breakfast burritos and great for any leftover Taco Salad for tacos the next day for kiddies. Shells also work great for leftover crock dishes. Making wraps the next day, served with cheese and Miracle Whip. We don’t need to, but will bring Fresh Tomatoes, because that’s our preference for Taco Salad, Burgers, etc. I have yet to try, but, you can blanch whole tomatoes. Freeze. Slice and thaw for use. Slice while frozen for easier handling.

Most of Our Recipes are FREEZER FRIENDLY for EASIER Trips! We have Roast Sandwiches, Chilis, Soups, Stews, Crock Pot Meals, etc. View Our Recipe Gallery HERE
Check out Our “Get the Most of your Roast” post HERE
Check out more Great Ideas For Trips on “How we do it on 1 Income” HERE
Check Our last Vacation Post, similar, but, some differences. HERE
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In it to Win It! Then Eat It! Pizza in a MINUTE…

Now, I know I’ve posted this A LONG TIME AGO. But, I have to post again! We’ve made these for YEARS now! With the kiddos home, it’s nice to have a quick and healthy go-to meal. Annnd… They can make em themselves!

Soft Taco Shells
Favorite Spaghetti Sauce
Cheese of choice
Toppings of choice (Meat of choice, Vegis of choice, etc.)
Grated Parm. Cheese (Store shelf kind)
Dried Oregano

I just did a QUICK Cheese and Sauce Pizza with Parm. and Oregano. Simple. Spread taco shell with sauce. Top with cheese and toppings. Sprinkle with Parm. and Oregano.
Heat skillet. Spray, well, with Butter Flavor Cooking Spray. Turn to a lower heat.
Place pizza/shell onto skillet. COVER with lid. Allow to LIGHTLY become golden brown on bottom, keep checking, they cook fast.  Place onto plate and cut. Set about 30sec. before eating. Bam! Done. You’re welcome…
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Attracting Frogs to the Garden

Frogs can be a great Organic Benefit to one’s garden. They eat pests, that otherwise put a dent into the garden and our comfort (Mosquitoes). With eating 10,000 pests in one Summer (Flies, earwigs, grasshoppers, pillbugs, cutworms, cuke beetles, AND MORE!) … I’d like to keep a few around! How we’ve attracted them…
First, this spot has attracted this feller (Or couple) for the last few years:
Our Split Rail. Cool, to watch him climb the fencing to get here:


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This one was a project that our Handy Man made. 
Hollow Log- Ours has natural holes (Bottom/Right Photo), so the frogs can get in and out. Staple Plastic to top, allowing to dip down some.
Poke a FEW pinholes to help drain water. Add in Dirt. Plant Flowers (I did some blue variety and Marigolds- So, it will fill in nicely soon.). Place in shaded, cooler, area. I do in the back along trees of garden. When the kiddos find frogs, they just add them into the garden. A few have stayed, and made it a home! Plus, the Flower Frog House looks great in the garden!

Notes: Be sure the fertilizer and other garden additives are SAFE for these froggers. They are sensitive. Be sure to handle with care, wet hands! We also have a shallow birdbath nearby.
MORE GREAT Gardening Info, Check Out Our HIGHEST Rated Post:
→ CLICK for Gardening Tips, Tricks, & DIY Decor! ←

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Beautifying the Garden

PAINT Boring Green Vinyl Fence Rainbow Colored to Add Color and Make Your Garden POP! – Works with Trellis Types, too. Quick and easy. Just spray paint diagonal lines. Clear coat. Hang. Bam! Done. You’re Welcome…

WE HAVE MORE UPCYCLING and Decor IDEAS:
– Check Out MORE of Our Cheap Decor Ideas
– Check Out Our Gardening Photo Gallery HERE
–  Check Out Our HIGHEST RATED Garden Post HERE (Gardening Tips, Tricks, Ideas, and CHEAP Decor!)

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Garden Stake / Staple DIY Idea- Money Saver

We’ve been doing this for a long time now… Can’t believe I haven’t posted sooner! But, here it is. Garden Stake/ Staples can get expensive. So, here’s a $ saver!
Hangers (Ours were 25cents at yard sale)
Wire Cutters
Cut Hangers
Form to stake/ staple size desired
Bam! Done! You’re welcome…
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DIY Wall Art KID’S Craft

Easy enough for the kiddos. Making beautiful artwork. My daughter made this! Got this idea from a gift she had gotten: A Pillow Project. I adapted it, so you can make beautiful wall art. You can do Letters (Names), Shapes (Heart, star, etc.), Numbers (Age, birthday, etc.), etc. You can fill it in, or make it as thick as you want. Or have the letter/shape one color, then fill the rest of the cardboard another color (No need to paint then!). Like this:
My daughter just did a simple A, because it was for a How-To Presentation for class. You can get as detailed as you want. Looks Beautiful either way!
– Cardboard, sized to liking
– Paint cardboard (We used a glitter paint- They have glitter you can add to paint):
– Once dry… Draw a design. Ours was a simple single lined A.
– Poke holes along/on line.  (We used 3.5in nail)
– Use fabric, about 2in. x 2in. squares.
– Then using a small end object (Ours was kid’s paint brush -Cheap little one), press the CENTER of the fabric square THROUGH the holes, giving a flower like look.
– Glue 2 ribbons to back (One on each side). Tie into bow.

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Boiling Tip

Good Tip I’ve learned, I think everyone should know, too! Stops from overflowing during boiling. Put a Wood Spoon Across and INTO the Pan. Works fantastic!
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DIY Walking Path Hop Scotch Stepping Stones

 
How To:
– Dollar Store Plant Pot Water Catcher.
– Cheap Cement.
– Dollar Store Colored Clear Stones.

Mix Cement. Add to water catcher (You can line with thin plastic, for easy removing and cleaning). Allow to dry SOME (Not a alot). Place in stones in order of Numbers. Once set, dig into ground, level with ground.
For longer lasting stepping stones, place a hard wire (I used heavy duty Chicken/Farm/Fence Wire) in middle of cement. Pour, add wire, pour more.
Be sure to keep wiping stones off, to keep beautifully shiny.
Working on beautiful-izing it more! Will update photos soon!
– Also, I’ve updated my GARDEN POST! Tons of NEW IDEAS and PHOTOS added this weekend. The Gardening Season is HERE! CLICK HERE for More Great Gardening Tips, Tricks, and Ideas

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Effortlessly Remove Cradle Cap

For Cradle Cap, I’ve tried baby oil, soaps, etc. I thought I’d share what worked for me, EASILY! Dawn Dish Soap, rag, a bowl of warm water (The more moist the rag, easier it works. Be careful not to drip into eyes. A workout headband helps).
Wet part of rag, add a dab of Dawn, rub to lather. LIGHTLY rub left to right, then up and down. For harder areas, rub Dawn onto affected area, to a small lather. ALLOW TO SIT, once you worked the entire area, go back to where you started, Re-Wet rag, add a little more Dawn, then rub back and forth, then up and down. It comes RIGHT UP!
DO NOT SCRUB or PRESS HARD!
BE CAREFUL when rinsing, to not get into eyes!
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!!! Update !!! Update !!! Update !!!

UPDATE – UPDATE – UPDATE
We’ve updated Our Gardening Post AND Our Money Savers Post! I’ve added TONS of Garden & Money Saving Ideas and Resources (Like Store Discounts you may not have known about- Senior, Military, Student, etc.)! I do still have a few more Ideas to Upload to the Garden… But, will get to it soon! Maybe this weekend, as we’ve been so busy. So, check back!
Check Them Out:
– Gardening Tips, Tricks, and Decor
– Money Savers – How we do it on 1 income

Upcycling for a Table

You can very well stain this with a design on top. I did that, it’s BEAUTIFUL! But, I never photographed it done. Will do someday. When I get around to it…

For our SUPER EASY Staining Design Idea, that I used to beautify the above table, check out our Post here (CLICK PHOTO):
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– UPDATED! – How do you do it all, on 1 Income?

UPDATED-Again! We are asked about how we are able to manage our lifestyle with only one income. And do it with NO Reckless DEBT!
– First, the hub works so hard to provide us with the things we are fortunate to have.
– Secondly, we appreciate the value of a dollar. We usually have plans for each, usually each plan putting more money in our pockets in the long run. Most people make the mistake and have more plans for their dollar. Thinking, “Well, we can get this, and just cut here…”. But, never do the cutting. Thus, that dollar was spent twice… Creating a debt.
-We make life Fun, Cheap, and most importantly… Easy! You don’t need to spend fortunes to have great memories. Most people spend way too much money on “Fun”, only to spend their time running, exhausted, and broke for it. In the end, cheaper can be better. I’m not saying don’t splurge here and there, if ya have it. I’m just saying … It’s not needed. Or makes you a lesser of a person, if you don’t. Happy Homes can be made on Pennies!
Here are some Tips, we find Useful. Be sure to check out our added info- Senior/Student/Military Discounts, Kids Eat FREE list, & MORE… That you may not know about! (CLICK “CONTINUE READING”):

Baby Taking Off Diaper/Jamas?

Put the pajamas on BACKWARDS with zipper in the back. Problem solved! No more dirty diapers spread, pee everywhere, or cold baby. 

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Soaking Produce

Come Growing season, along with bought produce, we soak our vegis in the sink with water and some vinegar. It helps to remove/kill some bacteria. Also, with doing this, our produce seems to last longer. When Harvesting tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, peas, beans, etc. We noticed they all lasted longer when soaked in vinegar water.
(Some people also amp this up by adding lemon juice, even baking soda in with water- I have yet to try that.)
– More Gardening, Tips, Tricks, and Decor, Click Here.
– For more Tips and Ideas, Click Here.

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GOT OUR Top Tabs Up and Running!

NOW, You Can CLICK and UTILIZE Our Page’s Top Tabs, for Easy and Quick Browsing. Located at the top of our page: Gardening , Recipes , Tips & Ideas

Bake-on (Baking Bacon)

Line pan with foil. Line on Bacon. Bake in oven at 425 (No need to preheat) for 12-15 minutes.

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Get Your Kids to Drink Water!

My kids usually love water. I was big on giving them water. Even watered down juices. But, my youngest is head strong against it.
So, I went to the dollar store. Had her help pick out SMALL items. I cut apart the Stickers/Tattoos. Separated Glitter Crayons (If you’re cheap, like me, cut the crayons in half- They fit better, too!)
Every so often I drew lines on a water bottle. With each line I taped an item on. With each line she drank to, she received that item. You can also do other versions of this, having rewards separate from the bottle.
-Also, I sometimes tape these facing in, to not ruin stickers. Also, she loves surprises. (Be sure your kiddo does, too, if taping face down! … Or, just dull the tape’s stickiness by sticking to your shirt, then taping sticker to bottle.)
Another Idea/Version:
YOU CAN EVEN get bracelets and they remove one with each line. (Or the last line, as final prize.)
Or have 8 on a cup and each night they put them away (Back onto the clean cup/bottle.). Then the next day they earn them back throughout the day. SO MANY IDEAS!

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Cheap Multi Paint Holder

Holds multi colors and stains. Makes projects easier and faster. easy to clean and reuse. CHEAP- Dollar store!
Great for when I was doing many projects… Especially, this one: Click Here for Multi Colored Corner or Accent Wall Piece

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How to PERFECTLY and EASILY Peel a Hard Boiled Egg

Place a hard boiled egg into a hard cup. Add some water. Shake back and forth, vigorously, for a few seconds. Bam! Done! You’re Welcome.
Thanks to this link
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CHEAP N’ GREAT Christmas Present Idea: Un-Cooked-ies!

This is such a GREAT Idea! Cheap. Easier than cookies. Because, you save yourself the cooking time. Not to forget, the burning is on them now!!! It’s much appreciated, especially, those busier people. We LOVE frozen prepped dough balls. You can choose to cook a few at a time, for quick treats. Or a whole batch! No more worrying if they’re gonna go bad. As they last A LOT longer! You can pre-freeze to save time, as well!

Steps:
-Premake your favorite Cookie Dough recipe
-Line Parchment Paper with spoons of dough balls, spaced (I’ve used just plate with no problems). Freeze.*
-Once frozen, place into Freezer Gallon Bag.*
-Label bag with Type of Cookie, Temperature (Degrees), Time to Cook. NO NEED TO THAW! Do test batch to get correct timing (Frozen dough goes a little longer, not much, tho.)
-Place filled freezer bag in bakery store plastic container, decorated. Cookie tin or decorated mason/glass jar may work, as well. Just keep in freezer bag for freshness.
-Be sure to store on ice and let them know it needs to go into the freezer…
*You prefreeze, spaced, to keep them from sticking. If you just throw the balls into the bag, they’ll have 1 big cookie!

—Get the kiddos involved. Paint the containers. Do the handprint/footprint reindeer idea. Grandparents will very much appreciate a gift made for them to enjoy and the art they can save! Use mason jars and line outside with candycanes, modge modge wrapping paper to lid, bow on lid, old knitted sweater sleeves, cut and wrap around outside of mason jars, or knitted mason jar sleeve, add mini scarves around mason jar neck, etc. Decor ideas are endless… AND CHEAP!

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Wax Paper Re-Usable Sticker Book

Got this idea from my daughter bursting into an emotional cry over her stickers being used up. Devastation of a 4yr. old! So, I made a book out of wax paper. She can now stick her stickers, take them off, move them around. Store them on the back page. Versus The Stick and Stuck. Sometimes you can get stickers cheap, but there’s those days in which those Puppy Eyes want the $4.99 pack of Frozen Stickers, that only contain 1 sheet, you later find out! In which gets used up in less than a minute. Not forgetting if 1 kid gets stickers, they all want them!
You can trace, with Perm. Marker, pictures for them to decorate. Or a teaching tool. With spelling, where kids fill in the blanks to complete words, using letter stickers (I used address labels for black letters, bought fun letter stickers for them to fill in.). So many things that can stem from this.
My daughter makes all sorts of stories and is able to move them around for more stories. That I get to hear about for the next few hours. Which is quite hilarious, with her imagination. This craft expands the life of sticker use. Thus saving us parents money and the 4yr. old’s devastating loss of sticker use.

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