Friday, March 29, 2013

Homemade Laminate Floor Cleaner

I have a little secret to tell you- my beautiful hardwood floors have looked like this in my formal dining room for 3 months. I have tried everything and they just haven't gotten better. When we had a puppy (for 3 months or so) he liked this room the best. It was his own personal restroom and I cleaned these floors more than twice a day. And, that led to build up. And, since I can't put water on them I just left them all streaky and sticky and hoped a plan would come to me.


Well, the no entertaining time has come to an end and I have girls coming over and they can't walk in this room on my streaky floors. Pinterest to the rescue! I searched around and found a homemade floor cleaner that didn't require a trip to the store.

After one good mopping with my Swifter on dry and my new floor cleaner in a spray bottle, I am in business with nice floors again!


Here are the ingredients, along with water. Super easy. Items you likely have on hand. Super inexpensive. Smells great. 


 I whipped up a little label for my old Oxyclean spray bottle and included the recipe for future reference.


Hooray for Pinterest success and thanks for Beckman stories for the recipe!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Peeps on a Stick Printable and a Lil Rant

Have you seen the cute idea to put Easter peeps on a stick and share them? I saw this idea on Pinterest and pinned it knowing it would be an easy and inexpensive little treat Abby could share with her friends at school and church.


I used 2 peeps per stick (found in the cake decorating aisle at Hobby Lobby) and tied them inside a small treat bag (same aisle) with scrap ribbon. Very inexpensive craft and Abby helped me by handing me the items as I needed them. She loves any craft or cooking time that lets her sit on the kitchen island!

I also made a little set of tags with my digital scrapbook software. They are 2" x 3.5", so perfect for tying onto each stick. I made an extra set without "abby lu" on them. Feel free to download and print them.


I am not usually one to rant. I don't like to speak ill of others. I don't leave mean comments on blogs. But, I want to say something that may be a little controversial here.... I hate all the articles and blog posts coming out right now that we need to take the holidays down a notch. Or, that Pinterest is evil. I think just the opposite and here is why.

I like making treats for my daughter and her friends and the holidays provide the perfect venue for that. I want to spend time with my daughter doing things, not just playing in her dollhouse or watching TV together. I want her to learn to make things, but more importantly to make things for others. I want her to feel the joy of giving, not just receiving. I want her to be creative, to get dirty, and to start and finish a project. These are life lessons in the form of sugary treats in a bag.

I don't want other Moms to feel bad when they receive these treats. I don't feel pressure when my friends make green milk for their kids on March 17th or share the cutest party favors. I think, that is fun or I wish I had thought to do that. It is okay. I can't do it all. I can make the choice to do what I can.

I love getting ideas from Pinterest. I love sharing ideas. I think it is wonderful to support others who come up with something cute or helpful by repinning their findings. I enjoy dreaming about a new home, a pretty outfit, a perfectly iced cake. I don't feel pressure to have all those things. I know I will never master folding a fitted sheet no matter how many times I pin a tutorial. 

I hope we can use things like Pinterest and treats shared among kids to get new ideas and be encouraged and not use them to make ourselves feel inferior. The world will do that for us in so many places, don't let Pinterest do it, too.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Chile Colorado Burritos

I tried another Pinterest recipe last week and boy was it good! I took one bite and told my husband, you are going to really like this! The burrito is stuffed with tender stew meat cooked in the crockpot all day in enchilada sauce and then stuffed with beans and cheese. Delish!


Get the recipe from Food Pusher here and make it for dinner! You won't be disappointed.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

No Sew Peep Bunny Garland

 I hosted a handful of friends Tuesday night for craft night! I always love having a few girls over with good cake and glue guns! We had fun making no sew peep bunny garland. It is super simple and we all could have finished in about 2 hours.... if we weren't talking so much!

Aren't my little bunnies cute?

Each girl brought 8.5x11 felt sheets, coordinating ribbon and a brown or black marker. I had extra scissors and glue guns on hand for the fun. 


Using the bunny pattern found here, trace your bunny onto the felt sheets. We were able to get 6 per sheet. Cut them out with scissors or pinking shears. Then, using a dark marker add three dots to represent eyes and a nose just like candy peeps have. 

Using hot glue, string your bunnies onto ribbon by their ears. Hang your garland and enjoy!

If you'd like to get all fancy, your can sew and stuff your peeps like Dana did here. Super cute!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Morning Glory Muffins

Abby loves to bake. My 4 year old knows where we keep all the baking supplies- she knows the difference between baking soda and baking powder, loves to open the salt spout and knows vegetable oil and olive oil are different. We have lots of fun baking with each other.


She wanted to bake together one afternoon and I dug around and had what we needed to make Morning Glory Muffins that I had seen on Big Mama's blog. We made them and ate them up! These are a great muffin for sneaking in some healthy stuff. They held up well and we have all packed them for breakfast this past week. Plus, I learned that Starbuck's sells these, too!


Morning Glory Muffins from The Big Mama Blog

Mix together:
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbs. cinnamon
2 tsp.baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Add:
1/2 cup coconut 
3/4 cup raisins
1 large apple peeled and grated
2 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped nuts 
Stir to combine

In a separate bowl mix together:
3 large eggs
1 cup veg oil 
2 tsp. vanilla 

Mix dry ingredients into egg mixture.

Spoon into muffin cups and bake 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Our changes: We sprinkled additional cinnamon and coarse sugar on top to give a little extra flavor and crunch. I hate a soggy muffin- crunch is good :)



Sunday, March 17, 2013

Top Five Green Finds

I love the color kelly green and now mint green and chartreuse are becoming so popular that you should not get pinched today! There is lots of green to be had. Here are my top five favorites...

Nine West flats from Zappos
 Leather Tote from Banana Republic (30% off through Sunday with code BRTHANKS)



Kendra Scott tassle necklace in Green Onyx


Cute ruched swimsuit from J Crew in mint green


Mint green rubber watch from Anthropologie (I own and love this watch!)


And a bonus green favorite, Peach Green Tea Lemonade is back at Starbucks for Spring. Don't miss out- with dried peaches inside and a hint of ginger, it is the best!



Happy St. Patty's Day!

Friday, March 15, 2013

I'm All Ready for the Easter Bunny

 Easter is early this year, so I pulled out my bin of fun Spring Easter decor and got my house Easter Bunny ready! I decided to do things a little different this year and I set up just a couple of displays. I typically place one or two Easter items among my already decorated shelves and bookcases; however, this year, I cleared two spaces and gave them a big Easter focus.


One of those cleared areas is my antique dresser that I recently moved into the living room. I took the large ivy away and filled the top with my bunny collection and paper mache carrots.
 



On the bar in my kitchen, I printed out my favorite printable from this post, and framed it with a basket and paper mache eggs from here.


The only addition to my mantle is my He Is Risen banner that I made two years ago. 


Finally, I decided to go a little crazy in my formal dining room. I pulled out a  Spring-like table runner and then began arranging all of the fun bright cheery Easter buckets I have collected over the years.


Once I had an arrangement I liked, I filled them all with bright Easter grass and lots and lots of Easter eggs!


I added in a few of my favorite little Easter people and I had a display that just makes me smile!



In total, I spent $6 on my decorations this year! I just needed more grass and eggs.

Stay tuned for a fun Peeps inspired craft next week!

Oh, and don't forget to decorate your front door! Here is an easy Easter wreath from last year. Mine is on the front door and looks so fun!


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Blessing Prayer Printable

When I attended Dot Mom in Dallas a few weeks ago, I shared a room with three girls from my church. One of them said a prayer over us before bed and it was just the sweetest thing! 

Kati prays this exact prayer over each of her children each night. The night morning I asked her to please write it down for me so that I can use it nightly with Abby.

I typed it up as a 4x6 and placed it inside a little Spring frame from Target. I thought having it on her bedside would help me to learn it and then I won't need it framed any longer.

Feel free to save and print for your own child. It is just so sweet.

The prayer is based upon a verse from Numbers.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Pulled Pork for Pork Chile Verde Soup


I love each season when it starts and am normally so ready for the next by the time it is over, but I will miss soup season. We have been over 70 degrees most each day this month and this is our "cold" month in the Texas Hill Country. So, spring and grilling is just around the corner.

Before soup season ended, I whipped up a new soup thanks to my good buddy Pinterest. We made Heather's Pulled Pork (served on hamburger buns) last week and then used the leftover pork for Pork Chile Verde last night. Love this soup- it tasted like soup you would have at a nice restaurant. We paired it with little cheese quesadilla wedges. Delicious!


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Fun Easter Printables

There are a wealth of cute and spiritual printables online for the upcoming Easter holiday. I grabbed a few of my favorites here for you. The blog name is below and links you to their site to download the picture. 

A Little Tipsy

This one is my personal favorite! 
Madigan Made

5thirteen designs

Gewoon Marieke

Hopscotch Studio Designs

A Night Owl


Friday, March 1, 2013

March Desktop

It is one of my favorite times of year... my birthday, Easter, and Spring is coming! Hallelujah!


This is an exciting month for you- we have a little vacation planned for Spring Break, an Easter Egg Brunch planned on Good Friday, and that day just happens to be my birthday! Have a great month!