Red, White and Blue Berries

Just wash and dry some strawberries, dip them in a cream cheese fruit dip and then into blue colored sugar! A yummy and festive 4th of July treat!

Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/68544949_I3IAzTeT_c.jpg

Five Speckled Frogs

Just print out the frogs, cut around the grey outlines and laminate them…then glue the cute frogs on to Popsicle sticks.

Five Speckled Frogs Printables

Five Green and Speckled Frogs – A Counting Song.
Five green and speckled frogs,
Sat on a mossy log,
Eating some most delicious bugs.
Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool,
Where it was nice and cool,
Now there are four green speckled frogs!

 Source: http://picklebums.com/2011/03/29/five-green-frogs-printable/

Christmas Word Art

Cute Christmas Word Art

Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/106703370_Z8DmBMQL_c.jpg

Floating Candle Centerpiece

Floating Candle Centerpiece

Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/84213415_QBwHsfmi_c.jpg

34 Photoshop Tutorials

Just another way to improve my photography skills!

http://net.onextrapixel.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ps.jpg

Source: http://net.onextrapixel.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ps.jpg

Homemade Maple Syrup

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Maple-Vanilla-Syrup/Detail.aspx

Maple Syrup Recipe (with my adjustments)

3 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons corn syrup
2 cups water
about 1 tablespoon imitation maple flavor, or to taste
about 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, or to taste

Place the white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover pan, and simmer 8 minutes. Stir in maple extract and vanilla. Then pour into sterilized glass jars, cover, and process in a water bath canner for 10-20 minutes (depending on the size of jar). The let cool completely.


Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Maple-Vanilla-Syrup/Detail.aspx

Homemade Cinnamon Syrup

My Cinnamon Syrup Recipe

3 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons corn syrup
2 cups water
about 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
about 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract, or to taste

Place the white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover pan, and simmer 8 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and vanilla. Then pour into sterilized glass jars, cover, and process in a water bath canner for 10-20 minutes (depending on the size of jar). The let cool completely.

Homemade Berry Syrup

http://www.pickyourown.org/jam/strawbjarinbath.jpg

Berry Syrup Recipe (with my adjustments)

7 cups fresh or frozen berries (blueberry, strawberry, raspberry,blackberry)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
5- 7 cups sugar, until you reach the desired sweetness
3 tablespoons corn syrup

Wash and puree the berries. Place berries and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover pan, and simmer 8 minutes. Strain the blueberry mixture in a food mill or cheese cloth to remove pulp.  Return the juice mixture back to your pot, and and the sugar and corn syrup. ring mixture to a boil and boil for 1-2 minutes more. Then pour into sterilized glass jars, cover, and process in a water bath canner for 10-20 minutes (depending on the size of jar). The let cool completely.

Source: http://www.pickyourown.org/blueberrysyrup.htm

Homemade Vanilla Syrup

My Vanilla Syrup Recipe

3 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons corn syrup
2 cups water
about 1 vanilla bean or 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract, or to taste

Place the white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla bean (if you are using one) and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover pan, and simmer 8 minutes. Stir in vanilla extract (if you are using it). Then pour into sterilized glass jars, cover, and process in a water bath canner for 10-20 minutes (depending on the size of jar). The let cool completely.

DIY: How to remove the bottom of a bottle (Beer Bottle)

How to remove the bottom of a bottle (Part 2)…. without breaking the rest of the bottle. This one takes some practice to get right, but the end result is pretty cool. By just using your hand, and some water, you can make the bottom of a beer bottle blow out, in a perfect circle without breaking the rest of the bottle.

Take the empty beer bottle and fill it with water until the water is halfway up the neck of the bottle. Place your hand around the neck of the bottle, so that your hand is flush to the top. So your hand and the bottle are almost flat at the top. With your other hand OPEN, smack the top of the bottle/hand combination. You need to do it pretty hard. DO NOT do this step over anything important, go find a nice grassy spot. If done correctly, the bottom of the bottle will fall to the ground without breaking the rest of the bottle. When you smack the bottle, leave your hand on top. Immediately lifting your hand will do nothing and just result in a bruised hand. By smacking the bottle, the glass moves down slightly. The water in the bottle moves up closer to the top and creates a vacuum at the bottom of the bottle. This water moves back down fast enough to break the bottom off. Therefore you must keep your hand on top long enough to let the air compress. Luckily that is not very long, because the whole reaction takes place very fast. Do not do this over anything that you may not want to get wet, because it will most definitely get wet, really wet. Be careful hitting the bottle multiple times. When it finally breaks, it could shatter all the way up to the hand holding the bottle and potentially cut your hand. Once the bottom is removed you could sand down the bottom edges to make them smooth!

To see a video of this being done go here: http://www.tvlesson.com/video/4500_party-trick-how-to-remove-the-bottom-of-a-bottle.html

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Blow-the-Bottom-out-of-a-Bottle

DIY: How to remove the botom of a glass bottle (Wine Bottle)

How to remove a bottom of a bottle: These instructions were given on www.remodelaholic.com.

" First I soaked my wine bottles in warm soapy water to take the labels off. Then taped off a section on the bottom and drew a straight line along the tape. This indicates the line I am going to cut along.

Next I was ready to cut. (Remember to wear safety goggles and a mask!) Using the Cutting Wheel of my Dremel I cut along the line I had drawn on the tape. 

Take your time and let the tool do the work. If you apply to pressure you'll just wear down the Cutting Wheel faster, but you won't make your progress any quicker. (Trust me I tried!)

Making some progress! I like to keep the tape on the whole time to keep any glass shards in check. Also remember to periodically dip the Dremel in water and spray some on the glass to keep both from getting to hot. The Dremel can over heat and the glass could crack if not. 

Yay success!! Next you'll use the Grinding Bit for the Dremel to smooth out any rough edges.

Once your are done with this step you can use the polishing bit to make the edge extra smooth and shiny." 

Photo and Instruction Source and to read more: http://www.remodelaholic.com/2010/09/how-to-make-glass-wine-bottle-pendant.html#ixzz1VhZuOZa9

Baked Rice

Here is a yummy way to make rice that cooks at the same time your dinner does! The recipe below includes my adjustments.

Baked Rice

Food Network - Bobby Flay

6 tablespoons oil

2 cups long grain white rice

¼ cup dried onion

2 tbsp dried parsley

4 cups stock

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly brown the rice and onions in oil in a saucepan and then pour mixture into a greased 9X13 Pyrex dish. Bring the stock and parsley to a boil and pour over the rice, take caution because this can create a lot of hot steam. Bake covered for 45 minutes, until rice is tender and fluffy.

Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/moms-baked-rice-recipe/index.html

31 Days to a Better Photo

This website has some great info!

http://my3boybarians.com/31-days-series/

Source: http://my3boybarians.com/31-days-series/

I scream, You scream... We all scream for ice cream! A Gift Idea...

Ice Cream Sundae Kit

To make the  ice cream sundae kit pick up some waffle cone bowls, sugar cones and assorted candies and sprinkles. Re-package everything in Ziploc with bright and summery labels. Then make some homemade chocolate sauce and put everything together in a little gift box.

Easy Chocolate Sauce Recipe
Source: http://mixingbowlkids.typepad.com/family_bites/2011/06/diy-ice-cream-sundae-kit.html

    1/2 cup heavy cream
    3 tablespoon of butter
    3 tablespoons corn syrup
    6 oz chocolate chips

Combine cream, butter and corn syrup in a small saucepan and heat until the butter had melted and the sauce is almost boiling. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate, stirring until melted. Cool to lukewarm and spoon into glass jars.  Cover with a tight fitting lid and store in the fridge.  To use, remove from the fridge and let it sit out at room temperature for 1 hour prior to serving, or heat for 15 seconds in the microwave.

Source: http://mixingbowlkids.typepad.com/family_bites/2011/06/diy-ice-cream-sundae-kit.html

Team Gift Idea

 "Being your teammate rocks! Thanks for a a great season."

Source: http://puertabella.blogspot.com/

4th of July Dipped Pretzels

A cute idea...take pretzel sticks and dip them in white chocolate and colored sugar and arrange them to make a flag!

4th of July Pretzel Flag

Source: http://puertabella.blogspot.com/2011/05/pretzel-flag.html

Christmas Card Idea

http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/104688818_glP6A3U3_c.jpg

 The lights on this card are made by thumbprints and paint of many colors.


Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/104688818_glP6A3U3_c.jpg

Christmas Cupcake Idea

http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/85522618_Y9spLFfw_c.jpg

Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/85522618_Y9spLFfw_c.jpg

Fall Cake Idea

http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/79965760_Ity6RPY9_c.jpg

Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/79965760_Ity6RPY9_c.jpg

Halloween Wreath Idea

 

Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/74909145_QONSVGOg_c.jpg

A Week of Centerpiece Ideas....Friday

Idea 9

Idea 10

Source: http://wohnidee.wunderweib.de/dekoundgastlichkeit/bildergalerie-1376323-dekoundgastlichkeit/Kerzenstaender-selbermachen.html?i=9

A Week of Centerpiece Ideas....Thursday

Idea 7

Idea 8 - My Favorite (I am making this one!)

Source: http://wohnidee.wunderweib.de/dekoundgastlichkeit/bildergalerie-1376323-dekoundgastlichkeit/Kerzenstaender-selbermachen.html?i=9

A Week of Centerpiece Ideas....Wednesday

Idea 5

Idea 6

 

 

Source: http://wohnidee.wunderweib.de/dekoundgastlichkeit/bildergalerie-1376323-dekoundgastlichkeit/Kerzenstaender-selbermachen.html?i=9

A Week of Centerpiece Ideas....Tuesday

Idea 3

Idea 4

Source: http://wohnidee.wunderweib.de/dekoundgastlichkeit/bildergalerie-1376323-dekoundgastlichkeit/Kerzenstaender-selbermachen.html?i=9

A Week of Centerpiece Ideas....Monday

Idea 1

Idea 2

Source: http://wohnidee.wunderweib.de/dekoundgastlichkeit/bildergalerie-1376323-dekoundgastlichkeit/Kerzenstaender-selbermachen.html?i=9

Photo Checklist - The Top 10

I love taking pictures of my kids! But I always seem to be looking for new ideas....for locations, for themes, for props. This checklist provides some timely insight into to getting the best pictures from every month of the year.

Photo Checklist Page 1

Photo Checklist Page 2

Source: http://clubcreatingkeepsakes.com/blogs/articles/archive/2011/03/22/photo-checklists-10-must-take-photos-for-every-month-of-the-year.aspx

Beautiful Centerpiece Idea

Beautiful Centerpiece Idea

You could put any color candles on top and  any fresh or silk flowers,  small pine cones, Christmas ornaments underneath. You could also tie a ribbon around the stem....the options are endless!


Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/84252332_Eerg9hZF_c.jpg

A Different Take On A Veggie Tray

Here is a different way to serve a veggie tray at your next party!

Easy Vegetable Cups

 Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/68528972_Yb9udJZ6_c.jpg

Mr. Sun, Mr. Golden Sun....

Are you having a summer gathering? Throwing a beach or pool party? Here is the perfect cupcake design.....Sunshine Cupcakes! Enjoy!

Happy Sunshine Cupcake

Source: http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/68528682_jmFTQ5jI_c.jpg

Glazed Doughnut Muffins

I love doughnuts and I love muffins! When I found these recipes, I knew they would be perfect for me! The best news.... they turned out delicious! I will definitely be making these again! I took the muffin recipe from one source and the glaze recipe from another and I am thoroughly enjoying the results! The recipe included below is the what I made including my adjustments to the recipes.

http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2011/05/17/glazed-doughnut-muffins/

http://macandcheesereview.blogspot.com/2009/08/donut-muffins.html

Glazed Doughnut Muffins

3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg until light in color. Add vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla to sugar mixture and combine.Then add the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. and stir to combine. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full, and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes.


Topping for Glazed Doughnut Muffins

 3 tablespoons butter; melted
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons hot water

To make the glaze, In a medium bowl mix together the melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and water. Whisk until smooth. When the muffins have cooled slightly, dip the muffin crown into the glaze and allow the glaze to harden. Once hardened, dip a second time  and allow to harden then serve.


Topping for Sugar Doughnut Muffins

2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup superfine sugar (can pulse regular sugar in food processor to make), or powdered sugar

When the muffins have cooled brush the muffin crown with butter and then dip into the sugar until the top is coated.

Sources: http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2011/05/17/glazed-doughnut-muffins/ and http://macandcheesereview.blogspot.com/2009/08/donut-muffins.html

Muddy Buddies

Muddy Buddies Recipe                         9 cups Rice Chex 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar                                                                            Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon Ziploc bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chex-muddy-buddies/92e4756c-abc1-452a-9b2c-dd124d858050   Source: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chex-muddy-buddies/92e4756c-abc1-452a-9b2c-dd124d858050

A Daily Routine

My daily routine is just that  -  - routine! I am very organized and have pretty firm ideas about how my month, year, next year and life will go. But my days either feel super productive or a complete waste! My Aunt sent me this link and I think it is going to be a great way to give my routine to direction and purpose! I hope it will cut down of the days I feel were a waste. I am going to adjust the list a little to fit my life and you may want to do the same. I will post a copy of my adjustments when it is complete!  In the meantime here is the original!

http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/02/09/my-daily-routine-free-printables/

Source: http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2011/02/09/my-daily-routine-free-printables/