Sharing Great Ideas-Pinterest

Repuposing, a new word for something I have loved doing for many years.  Now it is popular and so many great ideas are on Pinterest.  One of my favorites are all the ideas to repurpose pictures frames.  This is the tray I made.  I already had this frame that has not been used in quite awhile.  For this one I did not want to paint the frame.  I also had the handles which needed some black spray paint.  The damask (love damask) is scrapbook paper I bought at Michaels on sale 4 sheets for a dollar.  It took 2 sheets.  Pretty tray for 50 cents, huh?

I am also loving the recipes for homemade body scrubs, facial toner, laundry spot remover and homemade essential oils.  I have made the peppermint body scrub and the coffee body scrub.  Both of these will be regulars at my house now.  Most all of the ideas I have tried are things I already have.  It is liking shopping for something new without having to leave your home or spend any money.  How can you not love that?

A Great Summer Recipe

Brownies and Ice Cream

Cook a pan of 9X13 brownies.

As soon as you remove from the oven add 1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream.  Stir until well blended and freeze.

Once frozen, cut into squares and serve.  If you want to be creative add toppings of your choice.

Great quick dessert for your July 4th picnic.

Frozen Latte

1 cup skim milk-add ice to make 3 cups

1 box fat free sugar free vanilla pudding

1 cup frozen fat free cool whip
1 TBS. instant coffee

Mix in blender and serve with cool whip on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Correction-New Blog Title

I have changed my blog title mentioned in Pretty Accessories post below.  Please check it out. 

Strings Attached Beads and Accessories, you will find it at stringsattachedcindi.blogspot.com.  Hope to hear from you there.

Pretty Accessories

Accessories are my weakness.  I love fashion accessories and home decorating accessories.  It is the little extras that set the tone of an outfit or a room in your home.  Your choice of jewelry can dress up or dress down an outfit.  My love for jewelry at a young age drew me to a hobbie of beading.  I also love pieces that you can change up for a new look.  Or take a dated or ugly piece of jewelry and make it into something updated and beautiful. 

Check out my new blog at creationsbycindi.blogspot.com.  It is a work in progress.  I hope to set up a store page soon.  For now, if you see anything you would like....shoot me an email (cadriggers1@gmail.com) or post a comment with your contact info.

Getting Fit For Health

If only Jillian could move in with us for a few weeks.  Who wouldn't lose weight with Jillian around?  I love watching Biggest Loser.  Not only is the show motivating but at times very thought provoking.  Have you ever ask yourself are you the best you can be?  If you are not, have you thought about what might be holding you back from being the best you can be?  That is certainly what God desires for us......so "be the best you can be today" or begin to discover what is holding you back.

Cheesecake Breakfast

2 cans crescent rolls

2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese

1 cup of sugar

1 egg


Mix for topping:

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup sugar
Mix cream cheese, sugar and egg yolk. Unroll and line 9x13 pan (lightly greased) with 1 can of crescent rolls. Cover with cream cheese mixture. Top with second can of crescent rolls. Brush with egg white and sprinkle cinnamon nut mixture topping. (I spray the topping with pam) Bake until browned at 350 degrees.
This can be put together the night before and refrigerated. Just bake when you need it.

Four Day Work Week and Our Economy (reposting)

I posted this 2 years ago but I think it bears repeating.  I emailed our Govenor and State Superintendent of Education last year with these suggestions.  I emailed our new Govenor this year.  I also suggested offering a tax break to small businesses that close on Friday.  Yes there are many logistical issues to work out but what do we have to lose?  And doesn't it appear obvious that we have alot we could gain by making these changes?

Posted April 20, 2009:

Our present economic situation is like nothing most of us have seen in our life time. We have gas and energy concerns....high cost and shortage. Businesses laying off employees. Obvious awnser...a manditory 4 day work week. Seem silly? Think about it. If we all worked 4 10 hour days, businesses would have the energy savings of 1 day a week. Wonder how many jobs could be saved? Think about if school buses did not run one day a week, the gas and financial savings would save alot of teaching jobs and pay for alot of teaching supplies.

Wouldn't it be great to have Friday declared as "family day"? Moms, Dads, children spending time together. Look at our First Family, the dog, the garden, a wholesome all America family. It is obvious they enjoy being together. Could it be possilbe they are setting the tone, reminding us of what is really important?

Sounds to me like everyone would win. Wonder why we are not hearing any discussion about this?

Hot Krispy Kreme Donuts

Last night my daughter and the kids had a date night.  Daddy was busy so the three of them went to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  After the movie my daughter took them to Krispy Kreme.  She took them inside so they could see the donuts being made.

She called me to tell me the kids had their first experience with Krispy Kreme hot glazed.  As Drake (8 years old) was eating his first one he said "where did my donut go?"  They do disappear quite fast.  Addison (5 years old) said as they were driving off "that has changed my life!"  
What a fun memory of mom taking them to experience their first KK hot glazed.

A Great Recipe for Adults and Kids

I am not a lover of meatloaf.  Mostly because they are often so soggy.  My friend gave me a recipe for a great meatloaf.  You cook the meatloaf in muffin tins.  Not soggy at all. My grandchildren loved it and so did I. The kids love the size.  They can pick up and eat like a muffin.

Mini Meatloafs

2 lbs. hamburger-I use extra lean
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup milk

Sauce

1/2 cup ketschup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp mustard

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine meatloaf ingredients, mix thoroughly.  Spray muffin tins with Pam.  Fill each cup just above  1/2 way.  Press down.  Usually makes 24 muffins.

Mix together sauce ingredients-I double the sauce recipe.  Spoon into each muffin cup.

Bake 20-25 minutes.  Great topped with grated cheese and put back in the oven for the last 5 minutes of cooking time.

Awesome Shopping Site

http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=135820

This site post eight new items everyday at noon.  Everything from jewelry, makeup, shoes, electronics, toys, handbag, etc.. I am talking name brands like Gucci handbags for 74% off, Smashbox makeup 80% off, Estee Lauder and much more. The prices are reduced 60% or more. I get an email at noon everyday with the items for sale and their prices  The items are only available for 24 hours unless they sell out first.  At noon the next day eight new items are posted.

The first 5 people who click on the link above and register (for free) you will receive $10.00 credit in your account.  I get $5.00 for every person that registers.  When we shop we earn more No More Rack dollars.  No More Rack put $5.00 in my account for Valentines Day. 

What a great way to spend money on name brand products for the entire family.  A huge savings and you can earn the money you spend from the same site.  Pretty cool, huh?

My CVS Deal

Last week I went to CVS with my coupons clipped to my sale paper.  Items circled and ready to shop!  The best deal was one I stumbled on.  I had a Physcians Formula CVS coupon from scanning my card in the store.  I did not need a thing in makeup but the coupon was $7.00.  Physicians Formula cosmetics were 40% off.  I found a product for $7.00 that I would not have purchased otherwise.  The Physcians Formula version of make your eyelashes grow.  What made this such a great deal besides getting it free?  There was a sticker on the product for a mail in rebate for the price of the product, $10.99.  How cool is that?  I get paid $10.99 to take that product home.

Thankful For Progress

I have missed blogging.  Good to be back.  Drake and Addison are having a great school year.  Drake has made alot of progress concerning his OCD and Tourettes.  It is interesting how many conflicting reports we have gotten from the school professionals and medical professionals concern Asbergers diagnosis.  Some say yes, some say no, some don't seem to be sure so they say no.  We really don't care what it is called as long as he gets the relief he needs from the anxiety.  Thank God my daughter has been diligent in pushing to get Drake the help he needs.  Otherwise, he would have been one of those kids that fell through the cracks as far as accomodations are concerned and would have turned into a real discipline problem.

He has alot of sensory issues that seem to cause alot of his anxiety.  Occupational Therapy has been the biggest help.  We began to see results right away.  Looking back over the last year, it is amazing at the progress primarily thanks to the OT's.  Our little guy has worked so hard doing his part.

A New School Year On It's Way

I haven't posted in several months, alot has been going on with Drake.  It appears the final diagnosis is Asbergers Syndrome.  He is high functioning and very smart which makes it very difficult to diagnose.  We have been relieved to find out that the anxiety comes from sensory issues.  He is going to Occupational Therapy twice a week and we are seeing results after just a few sessions.  He is such a sweet boy.  I so hope this school year will be better for him.  He is enrolling in a school with a strong satellite program for Autism.  We are hoping for him a happy, fun and successful school year.

Addison, our baby girl, will start big school this year, K5  She and Drake will be at the same school.  They grow up so fast.  We are trying to take advantage of every moment we can to enjoy their young lives.

Nana's Girl

OCD

My sweet, tender hearted precious grandson has quite a struggle he deals with most days.  He has OCD.  What I did not know before his diagnosis is there are several kinds of OCD.  He does not struggle with the contamination issues.  If he has to have OCD, I would rather it be that kind of OCD.  His is fear over something happening to him or those he loves.

If you know someone with a child struggling with OCD, check out my daughter's blog in my blog list below.  My grandson is on medication and in behavior therapy.  He is a very smart little guy.  Mr. Ross (his therapist) gives him specific things to do to face his fears and he works so hard to do just that.  A seven year old should just be able to be a little boy.  My daughter and son in law are great at trying to make sure he can do just that.

Amazing Savings with Coupons

There are some great blogs written by very frugal women who have saved hundreds each month on groceries. I have several listed in the blogs that I follow. These ladies are kind enough to share the items on sale this week by store, where to find the coupons for the items, and calculate your savings. It is actually possible to make money on some items and they share that as well. I have learned some great tips from reading their blogs.

Everyone is looking to save money these days. Since reading these blogs, I have saved HUNDREDS!

Thank you for sharing ladies.

Another Blog Spark Offer

Blog Spark sent me an email asking if I would like to participate in another offer. I look forward to getting these invitations from Blog Spark. This offer was a coupon for a free Yopait Thick and Creamy yogurt which I love. I also received this cute stationery set. My favorite is the post-it notes book. Very cute. Blog Spark will send out two of these same offers to two of my readers. All you have to do is post a comment about anything. I will select two and have Blog Spark send your offer.

Through the Eyes of Little Ones

My grandchildren went to Vacation Bible School this summer. Drake is 7, his class started Monday night. Addison is 4, her class started Tuesday night. My daughter, Angel took Drake on Monday night. He walked into his class reluctantly. When he came to the car that night, he said, "Mom did you know that Jesus made that blind man see?". Angel replied, "Yes I did, isn't that cool?" Drake said, "if he was my next door neighbor, I would play with him everyday, can I come back tomorrow night?"

Tuesday night Addison (mommy's little sidekick)was going to VBS with her brother. In the car on the way, Angel was telling Addison how much fun she was going to have, just like her brother. Addison is a typical little sister....she loves to do everything her brother does. To everything her mother said to her encouraging her about her first night at VBS, her response was...."and you will be right outside!". The comment started out to be in the form of a question, looking for reassurance. Before arriving at VBS it became more of a command!

Angel picked the kids up and before she could ask how their night was, Addison said very dramatically "THAT WAS AMAZING!!!!". Angel ask what was amazing about her evening. Addison replied, "Jesus Christ gave me fish!" In disgust, Drake replied...."Addison, they were just goldfish!" Well Addison loves to eat and she loves goldfish crackers, so she was impressed....her brother, not so much with the fish but he was very impressed with the healing of the blind man.

Betty Crocker Christmas Cookie Magazine

It seems strange to be blogging about Christmas cookies in August. Especially since this is one of the hottest days we have had this summer in Greenville, SC. But you know it will be here before we know it.

One on my favorite things to do in preparation for Christmas is to bake cookies, breads, and make homemade candy. My favorite childhood memories of Christmas was baking with my grandmother every year. Now my grandchildren bake with me. The smells of Christmas, the Christmas music playing and their little hands and faces covered with chocolate, flour, etc. We have so much fun and even get some baking done. Making memories with them that I will cherish, just as I cherish those memories of baking with my grandmother. Hopefully, my grandchildren will cherish these memories one day also.

As I have mentioned earlier, BlogSpark is an awesome site to join. They sent me an email invitiation to vote on the cover of the Betty Crocker Christmas Cookie magazine coming out November 10. I voted for the cover with Santa on it. It was the most colorful.

For casting a vote, I will receive the Betty Crocker Christmas Cookie magazine. The magazine will hit the stands November 10th. Pretty cool, huh?