February 26 - Cleaning the Microwave

We had a small incident melting butter for last nights dinner and a few other random spots in the microwave so I decided to give this a whirl.

I don't like the smell of vinegar so this was pretty gross as far as I'm concerned.

I made my husband do the wipe down because a) it stunk and b) I'm short.

It sort of worked. It's still greasy but the visible stains are gone.

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684140226071/

Original Link
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/06/how-to-clean-and-shine-your-microwave.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+onegoodthingbyjillee%2FzBBd+%28%22One+Good+Thing%22+by+Jillee%29

February 25 - Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie

This recipe was fairly easy to follow. Other then an impatient husband who was apparently starving to death while it baked for 40 mins a success.

I love anything with cheese, it's true I admit it. So I had to try this recipe. It wasn't overly cheesy though. Even the three year old ate it. I would make this again. Flaky crust, creamy filling yum!

Original Pin
http://m.pinterest.com/pin/191332684139419122/

Original Link
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/05/cheesy-chicken-pot-pie-recipe-and-30.html?m=1

February 24 - Menu Board

Answer that age old question what's for dinner and help with your own menu planning as well.

I cut out the days of the week and the word menu with my circuit. I love mine and highly recommend it!

Put in a frame from the dollar store and write on it with a dry erase marker each week. Easy to clean and change. I love it. Makes me feel much more organized!

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684139605550/

I tried the scrapbook paper strips it was too much for the size frame I was using.

Original Link
http://www.jenthousandwords.com/?m=1

February 23 - Brookies

You might be asking yourself, what the heck is a brookie? It's a brownie cookie of course. These are delicious and I have never received so many compliments!

Mix boxed brownie batter and put in greased muffin tins about half full. Bake for about 6-8 mins using the temp on the brownie box.

Add cookie dough on top. I used my "secret family recipe" which I found out at age 15 is on the back of the nestle toll house chocolate chip bag! Talk about having the wind taken out of your sails!

But a spoonful enough to make a large cookie on top of the brownie mix in the muffin tins and bake for time needed to bake cookies. 8-10 mins.

Let cool a bit then remove from the tins. Serve warmed with a spoonful of ice cream! Amazing!

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684140892649/

Original Link
http://www.jotpress.com/jot/5524
This takes you to a place to buy the Williams and Sanoma mix which I didn't use.

February 22 - Glow Bath

My three year old LOVED this! I might just be the coolest mommy ever after this one.

Super easy too. Fill up the bath with water and add a few glow sticks of different colors and sizes.

She would have stayed in that bath all night if I let her.

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684139163713

Original Link
http://makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com/2011/11/glow-in-dark-bath.html?m=1

February 21 - Kids Remote

Sometimes the "products I love" category can be a lot of fun to go through. I ordered this for my little girl a few days ago and we set it up. Can't wait to see how she does with it!

We set up her favorite channels (the hub, Disney, Disney jr Etc) on her remote now she can control the tv if we are upstairs or otherwise indisposed.

This wasn't too hard to get set up, just follow the instructions. The tv took a couple of tries but everything works.

The channels are a little slow to change but its a good lesson in patience. Just be aware that if multiple buttons are pushed you may end up on a random channel, we were watching some Seinfeld when all the sudden i realized she must have hit a random channel. HAHA

She LOVES this! I even got a "Thank you very much for my new we-mote mommy! It even works." Love her so much!


Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684140202104/

Original Link
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-RM-KZ1-Universal-Remote-Control/dp/B003ZXGNFA

February 20 - Facebook Character/Plot Diagrams

We started a new book at school so I wanted to switch up how we are diagraming and mapping the story. I saw this idea and loved it. Facebook is something 90% of kids identify with.

I altered my page and put the characters picture, name, age and grade on the sheet. Each day the students will write a brief status update after we have read the chapter.

We are reading Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. We have read the first chapter and part of the second chapter.

So status updates look as follows

I won a turtle at Jimmy's birthday party! I named him Dribble.

My brother ate flowers! He's so gross!


The students seem to like it. Yay!

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141370096

Original Link
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Facebook-Character-Page-Versatile-Activity-for-any-Character

February 19 - Matte Nail Polish

Matte Nail polish is really in but why spend extra money on whole bottles of matte polish when you can buy one top coat to do it all.

Check it out - shiny nails into matte nails. Tada!!

Essie matte about you is perfect. It does remove some color if your polish is still wet leaving the final look splotchy so just make sure your first coat is dry.

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141426049

Original Link
http://m.vampyvarnish.com/2009/07/essie-nordstrom-exclusive-minis-with-matte-about-you-top-coat

February 18 - Coconut Chicken

Delicious!  I love love love this recipe.  I normally don't like sweet meats but this was a tasty one.  There are several steps in the recipe and she doesn't give the best instructions but if I can follow this so can you.  Crispy, crunchy chicken with a nice coconut taste.

Some notes:

1. Shake your can of coconut milk otherwise you just get oil.

2. When my husband saw what I was making he wanted pina colada dipping sauce (Red Lobsters Coconut Shrimp).  He did some google-ing but ended up making his own which was amazing!  I told him to write down how he made it but he hasn't yet.

3.  He also made from scratch twice baked potatoes with no recipe.  He is an awesome cook!  Love him these were also delicious.

4.  At the end of the recipe she says if your chicken is too thick to bake it to make sure it's cooked.   Just make sure you slice them thin so you don't have to do that, I would think that it takes the crunch away.

Original Pin

http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684139746240/

Original Link

http://valleyridgerecipes.blogspot.com/search/label/chicken

February 17 - Stinky Shoe Fix

I have 3 pairs of shoes that I wear all the time.  Last week I noticed they were starting to get stinky.  I'm not sure if it's because we have had such a wet winter and I am stepping in puddles all the time or just because I wear them all the time but something needed to be done.  So I decided to try something from here to fix it.

I made baking soda baggies using old knee highs and put them in my shoes.  They are supposed to sit there and soak up the stink for a little bit.  I hope that they work but there is no way to tell right now.  HA ha.


Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141418778/


Original Link
http://voices.yahoo.com/smelly-shoes-41583.html?cat=25

This worked pretty well defiantly not as stinky in the shoe department today. And my feet weren't sweaty either.

February 16 - Cupcake Liner Storage

Always looking for ways to clean up and organize I have been so frustrated by the crazy pile of  cupcake liners that leap out of the cabinet and attack at any given moment.  So I decided to give this a try.  I had to use a wide mouth jar.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get them all back out and I could fit my hand in the large mouth jar.  Disadvantage is I don't have a lid, I used on the plastic lids from the cupcake liner packs and it sits on there nicely, enough to keep the dust out.  Highly recommend this, you don't have a bunch of little containers, they aren't going to get squished by other things in the cabinet and they are all easy to see in one place.

Before                                                                After

Compare the small jar on the left with the large mouth jar on the right.

Original Pin

http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141325736/

Original Link

http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/2013/01/05/fun-fact-how-to-efficiently-store-cupcake-liners/

February 15 - Valentines Wreath

What do you do the day after Valentines Day? You finally make the valentines wreath you saved the website for 7 years ago, pinned 1.5 years ago, and bought the materials for weeks ago, of course!!!

I kid you not I saved this almost 8 years ago! I pinned it in an effort to clean up the bookmarks on my computer and it was repined 4400 and has over 500 likes! It was like I was suddenly famous. Thus cementing my Pinterest addiction as close to 500 people started to follow my boards almost over night. Crazy right!

I bought everything, determined to do this project but life got out of the way. Sick kid, making valentines, event at work celebrating EVERY DAY of work I have done this year! But I finally sat down and did it.

I thought it would take me much longer to cut all the fabric but I bought fabric bundles at Joann's so I just cut along the folds then cut those pieces in half. I probably used 6 shade of pink, so 6 pieces. I also used half of the foam wreath from a previous post here. I used Aleene's tacky glue and a pencil to poke the fabric in. I'm really proud that I did this! Whoo hoo!

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684138916093/

Original Link
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2009/01/just-little-more-than-month-until.html?m=1

February 14 - Stud Muffin

Happy Valentines Day! This is a little surprise I left for my husband this morning. Happy Valentines Day Stud Muffin!




I wanted an easier way to get this done, so I looked for a stud muffin printable.  Check out the link below for the printable and my original idea.

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141226815/
Printable I used - http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141372688/

Original Link
https://www.cricut.com/project/ViewProject/2704/Stud-Muffin
Printable I used - http://smartpartyplanning.com/valentine-treat-ideas/#

February 13 - You Rock Valentines

These were a must for my coworkers who have helped me out with a huge project that's about to finish at work.

I found packs of pop rocks at the dollar store. Printed these labels, fold, staple and ta-da! Cute personal valentines.

There are a lot of versions of this valentine out there, I wanted some that was a printable and didn't involve a ton of glue due to time constraints.  This was a total winner in my book.

Original Pin

http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141372631/

Original Link

http://houseofthayn.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentine-freebie.html?spref=fb&m=1#

February 12 - Lunch Box Valentine Jokes

I printed these out for my daughters lunch box. She is a bit you g to read them herself but I thought her teachers might enjoy sharing the joke with the class.

These are super cute so I am using them for the students at school as well. Corny? Yes! But they all know I'm a giant cheese ball!

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141182311/

Original Link
http://kikicomin.com/valentines-lunchbox-laughs-free-download/

February 11 - Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

I did it!!!

I have tried to make these before and it was an epic, Epic, EPIC fail! They ended up a crumbly mess, I didn't use enough marshmallows or something. Who knows! I realized then that I don't think I have ever made regular Rice Krispie treats. I know how to make chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie bars by heart but they don't use marshmallows.

Well I decided to try again because I have had friends make these and they were so good!

Nailed it this time. Adding cake batter and a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla gives it the i just had a cupcake taste with a marshmallowy crunch. I used funfetti batter to give it a little color but I was so excited that I actually made Rice Krispie treats that I forgot the sprinkles on top. I'm so excited to share these with everyone at work tomorrow.

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141372540/

Original Link
http://lifeloveandsugar.com/2012/09/17/funfetti-cake-batter-rice-krispie-treats-with-rainbow-chip-icing-and-white-chocolate-funfetti-week/#

I did not use the icing part of this recipe I thought that was overkill.

February 10 - Teachers Valentines

I love these teacher valentines. They are such a cute way to add a gift card in a way that makes sense.

These were very easy to make, print the valentine on cardstock.  If I was making these again I would wait to add the backing until you are completely done (to hide the staples).  I used a coffee sleeve from a local shop but it had a number printed on the inside so I cut out a heart to cover it up.  I glued the bottom and stapled the sides and then slipped in the gift card, coffee of course.  Then I would glue on the backing.  Easy, cute and personal.

I also found these cute boxes of sweethearts that featured the "wild child" saying.  I wrote on the boxes, "Thank you for taking care of our" wild child.  I'm so pun-ny. Ha ha!

I just hope her teachers love these as much as I do.

Original Pin

http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141264460/

Original Link

http://www.eighteen25.blogspot.com/2013/01/past-projects-valentines-day.html

February 9 - The Ruler part 2

I finished the ruler tonight. And let me tell you this stupid board still smells like vinegar. Haha!

I used a paint marker to fill in the numbers I traced as well as all the ruler marks. Then I marked my daughters height at birth, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years, I am VERY proud of this project. A little concerned that I used such a giant piece of wood instead of something thin. How are we going to hang this huge thing?

Original Pin

http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684139597087/

Original Link

http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-05T15%253A12%253A00-04%253A00&max-results=3

February 8 - Cute Mending

Mistake # 1 - allowing your child to play with scissors while your not paying attention. She was cutting up paper happy as a clam, I went to move the laundry come back and find a huge hole in her pj pants! Little Punk.

Solution # 1 - cute mending via Pinterest. Her ideas were more for patches then mending but the basic principal worked here. I think it's cute. They key was to make the x much larger then you thought you wanted it.

This worked may not be perfect but they are pjs, it's not like she's walking a cat walk.

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684140453868

Original Link
http://m.designmom.com/2012/09/living-well-4-secrets-to-patching-clothes/

February 7 - The Ruler part 1

It's happening! I am making the ruler, I printed out the numbers from a font that I liked, cut them out, traced them on the board and measured and marked the board. Now it's time for the paint marker...but I need to get some SLEEP!

This may become a two day project!

Original Pin

http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684139597087/

Original Link

http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-05T15%253A12%253A00-04%253A00&max-results=3

February 6 - Coloring Pages

Busy night at home lots going on. I printed some Disney coloring pages for Kaitlyn from the link below. It came from Pinterest... It counts. Lol!

This page can be really awkward to navigate but it's handy to have in a pinch.  Would also be great for themed parties.


Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684140969121/

Original Link
http://colouringdisney.blogspot.com.au/

February 5 - Making New Wood Old

I have wanted to make the infamous Pinterest ruler to measure my daughters height for awhile. tonight i am starting that process...

Step One : Prepare the wood. So that's what I'm going to attempt to do tonight. I have a board that I want to use and I am attempting to age it with steel wool and apple cider vinegar.

Okay this crap stinks!!! Omg! And I hate the smell of vinegar on a normal day but this is nasty. Even my husband who loves vinegar thinks this is nasty.

When asked what the board looked like hubby said "It looks like an old piece of wood that's been outside a long time." Mission accomplished!!!

It's still drying but you can see the difference.


Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684140969030/


Original Link
http://ouradventuresinhomeimprovement.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-love-old-windows.html?m=1

February 4 - Single Serve Cookie

Tonight I braved another single serve dessert recipe.  Let's just say A-MAZE-ING!  I love chocolate chip cookies and you just can't beat a warm cookie out of the oven.  Short of maxing the dough and freezing it in balls or a log you can't really have single serve cookies and when you bake a whole batch you eat a whole batch.  This is the perfect solution, it took me maybe 3 mins to mix together all of ingredients and cook it.  Fairly easy instructions to follow, and yummy.  Chocolaty cookie goodness!

Keep this one handy for those emergency chocolate days!

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684139216057/

Original Link
http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2012/03/chocolate-chip-cookie-in-cup.html

February 3rd - Go Ravens!

Happy Superbowl Sunday! Go Ravens! No great new food recipes today, sorry. We are making wonton taco cups again and headed to a friends but I am sure she will have one or two Pinterest items of her own to share.

So what to do today, deck out my nails ravens style! The original plan was to transfer the image like on the pin below but my husband was worried about the logo being backward. Bad mojo. So we ended up just trimming these out of paper and clear polishing them over top. I'm actually really impressed they didn't run and there was only minimal curling.

Now lets just see if the last through the shower. Don't mind the sloppy polish I still need to clean it up.

Have a great day! Go ravens!!

Original Pin

http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684139888463/

Original Link

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxufw2BmXE1r6gzg7o1_500.jpg

Doing my nails always makes me think of this....

Also courtesy of pinterest...

http://pinterest.com/pin/42784265179854203/

February 2 - Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade chicken noodle soup in the crock pot what could be better. Uses pre cooked chicken and frozen veggies so this is an easy throw together for a weekend day and a great way to use leftovers.

It came out more like a casserole I think you are supposed to use 4 cans of soup total two of each, I did 2 cans one of each. But this was really good! Made a ton so I know what's for lunch this week!!

Recipe can be found here
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/chicken/creamy-chicken-noodle-soup/


Original pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684138759699/

Original link
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/quick-easy/make-ahead-meals/5-ingredient-slow-cooker-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.562813&esrc=nwslowcook2&email=321199443#page=4



** Addition, this didn't heat up the same, it was dryer and more dense.  The first night it was creamy and smooth, the noodles absorbed alot more liquid and were very thick.  But remember i only used 2 cans of creamed soups when i think you were supposed to use 4.**

February 1 - Single Serve Brownie

Ooey gooey chocolatey goodness! Easy to mix, mix right in the cup. This smelled amazing when it was cooking (in the microwave). It tasted like a brownie but it was super gooey! Still delicious and I would make it again.

Thanks to my hubby for this idea!

Original Pin
http://pinterest.com/pin/191332684141319759/

Original Link
http://www.instructables.com/id/Mug-Brownie/#